Trump administration moves to tighten housing aid rules for immigrants

By Gizem Nisa Demir

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Trump administration is moving to tighten access to federal housing aid for immigrants lacking legal status, with new steps by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the US Department of Justice, according to US media.

HUD has proposed a rule requiring all rental assistance applicants to verify citizenship, expanding checks that currently apply only to certain recipients, The Washington Times reported Thursday.

Simultaneously, the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel issued an opinion reinterpreting the 1996 welfare reform law, concluding that some immigrants granted “parole” or holding other tenuous legal status should no longer qualify for benefits.

“Today’s opinion will prohibit ineligible aliens from draining funds for housing programs that are meant to help American citizens,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said.

- Proposal to close loophole

The 1996 law bars most lawful immigrants from receiving means-tested benefits during their first five years in the US and broadly restricts unauthorized immigrants from accessing public assistance, with exceptions for certain medical and education programs and for US citizen children in mixed-status households.

HUD said the proposal would also close what it described as a loophole allowing benefits to flow to mixed-status families without full disclosure, ensuring assistance is prorated only to eligible members.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, the days of illegal aliens, ineligibles, and fraudsters gaming the system and riding the coattails of American taxpayers are over,” HUD Secretary Scott Turner said.

The proposed regulation has entered the federal notice-and-comment process.