Trump Administration Pushes HUD to Crack Down on Undocumented Immigrants in Public Housing

New HUD rules could force thousands of mixed-status families to separate or lose housing assistance altogether.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:22pm

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A realistic painting of a multi-story public housing building in muted earth tones, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the facade, conveying a sense of solemnity and unease about the impact of the administration's policies on vulnerable communities.As the Trump administration pushes to remove undocumented immigrants from public housing, the human toll on eligible families remains uncertain.Washington Today

The Trump administration is increasingly prioritizing immigration enforcement at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), pushing policies that would kick undocumented immigrants and their families out of public housing. HUD is auditing thousands of people receiving housing aid, sharing data with the Department of Homeland Security, and proposing new rules that would bar mixed-status households from accessing federal housing benefits.

Why it matters

The administration's focus on immigration at HUD has alarmed public housing authorities, policy experts, and career staffers who say it diverts resources away from the agency's core mission of providing affordable housing. Critics argue the moves won't solve persistent housing shortages or lower costs, and will instead put eligible families at risk of losing their homes.

The details

HUD has told public housing authorities to verify the immigration status of thousands of people receiving housing aid, a process that has been plagued by data errors. The department has also proposed a rule that would bar undocumented immigrants and the people they live with from accessing federal housing benefits, even if the rest of the household includes citizens or children. Estimates show that for every ineligible person removed from the voucher program, about three eligible people would lose assistance.

  • In January 2026, HUD sent over 3,000 public housing authorities lists of tenants who needed a second eligibility check.
  • In mid-March 2026, HUD Secretary Scott Turner described the number of people needing another look as 200,000.

The players

Scott Turner

HUD Secretary who has said removing undocumented immigrants from housing programs is crucial to protect taxpayer funds, enforce existing laws, and ensure Americans receive welfare benefits.

Lauren Bis

Acting assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, who said it is essential for agencies to share information to identify who is in the United States, neutralize any threats to public safety, and identify any public benefits that are being used by undocumented immigrants.

Mark Thiele

Chief executive of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, which represents housing officials across the country, who said housing agencies should not be asked to act as immigration enforcers.

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What they’re saying

“Putting that responsibility on them shifts immigration enforcement away from the agencies that are meant to handle it and actually puts eligible families at risk of losing their housing assistance. Housing agencies should focus on what they do best: providing homes for their communities. They should not be asked to act as immigration enforcers on top of that.”

— Mark Thiele, Chief Executive, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials

“If you are an illegal immigrant, you should leave now. The gravy train is over.”

— Lauren Bis, Acting Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security

“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's proposed rule will guarantee that all residents in HUD-funded housing are eligible tenants. We have zero tolerance for pushing aside hardworking U.S. citizens while enabling others to exploit decades-old loopholes.”

— Scott Turner, HUD Secretary

What’s next

The proposed HUD rule that would bar undocumented immigrants and their families from accessing federal housing benefits is currently open for public comment. If enacted, the rule could force thousands of mixed-status households to separate or lose their housing assistance altogether.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's push to use HUD as a tool for immigration enforcement has raised concerns that it will undermine the agency's core mission, put eligible families at risk of losing their homes, and do little to actually address the nation's persistent housing shortages and affordability challenges.