HUD Proposes Rule to Prevent Undocumented Immigrants from Accessing Federally Assisted Housing

On April 17th the Trump Administration released a proposed a rule to prevent undocumented immigrants from accessing federal housing assistance like public housing and section 8. While details of the rule are not available during the 15-day Congressional review period, the rule will become public in the coming days, after which there will be 60 days for public comment. CHAPA will submit comments.

According to the New York Times, who spoke to an administration official, the rule is intended to overturn a “loophole that allowed some undocumented immigrants to obtain public housing without revealing their citizenship status” and would affect about 25,000 households. The rule would require expanded use of the Systematic Alien Certification for Entitlements Program (SAVE), a program administered by the Department of Homeland Security that allows government agencies to verify a person’s immigration and citizenship status. The rule was proposed The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).