In a sweeping proposal to curb the use of federal housing benefits by non-citizens, the Trump administration has launched a nationwide audit of all public housing authorities (PHAs) to identify and remove individuals residing in the country illegally from federally funded housing.
The directive, announced Friday by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, gives each PHA 30 days to complete an audit of their housing rolls and submit documentation verifying the citizenship or eligible immigration status of all residents.
“No longer will illegal aliens be able to leave citizenship boxes blank or take advantage of HUD-funded housing, riding the coattails of hardworking American citizens,” Turner said in a statement. “American citizens will be prioritized.”
According to HUD, the department currently serves only one in four eligible families, a limitation Turner attributes in part to the misuse of public housing by individuals who are in the United States illegally.
DC First on Notice — More Than 3,000 PHAs Impacted
Turner told Fox News that the District of Columbia Housing Authority was the first entity formally placed on notice, but emphasized that more than 3,000 PHAs across the country are receiving similar directives. Programs found to be non-compliant could face further examination of their federal funding, Turner warned.
The order stems from a March 2025 memorandum of understanding signed between Turner and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, pledging greater scrutiny of public housing amid the Biden-era surge in illegal immigration.
“The entire government will work together to identify abuse and exploitation of public benefits,” Noem said Friday. “If you are an illegal immigrant, you should leave now. The gravy train is over.”
Supporters Call It Long Overdue, Critics Warn of Disruption
The crackdown has drawn applause from conservative lawmakers.
“Anyone in this country illegally should be deported, not given publicly funded housing!” posted Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) on X (formerly Twitter).
But others, including some former HUD officials, cautioned that the policy could disrupt public housing operations and divert staff from serving vulnerable populations.
“This is already the law — proof of citizenship is a requirement for any public housing or Section 8 unit,” said Cat Vielma, a former HUD official. “Requiring a second, immediate accounting will not provide a massive correction or eviction. It will simply divert staff from serving American seniors, vets, etc.”
Turner insisted the effort ensures the law will be enforced as written and weed out abuse of the system.
“We’re not reinventing the law,” he said. “We’re enforcing it — fairly, firmly, and fast.”
Part of a Larger Immigration and Urban Policy Shift
The announcement is the latest in a series of focused actions by the Trump administration to reshape urban policy and immigration enforcement.
In recent weeks, National Guard troops have been deployed to Washington, D.C., and federal law enforcement has conducted joint operations targeting crime and drug trafficking in the capital. Reports suggest similar operations could soon expand to other Democrat-run cities, including Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles.
The administration’s broader strategy — which includes the militarization of the border, increased deportations, and military force against foreign drug cartels — has sharply contrasted with the policies of the Biden administration, which prioritized sanctuary city protections and expanded housing assistance access.
The 30-day audit deadline sets the stage for a massive data review and potential enforcement wave across the country. While officials say any removals will respect privacy laws and due process, Turner has made it clear that public housing will no longer serve those in the country unlawfully.
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They should have been gone back in January. That way the homeless vets could have had their housing back. Its a crying shame that US Citizens got nothing while the illegals made six figures. All for votes and a quest for power that was meant to sell out our Country.