Senator Bill Hagerty from Tennessee is introducing a new bill aimed at restricting illegal immigrants from accessing federal housing benefits. The legislation seeks to close loopholes and cut off access for sanctuary cities to federal community development grants.
According to Hagerty, illegal immigrants have been allowed to take part in federally subsidized housing programs, using taxpayer dollars to bypass Americans on the waiting list. Hagerty’s proposal, called the End Housing Welfare for Illegal Aliens Act, aligns with efforts from the Trump administration and GOP members of Congress to limit benefits for illegal immigrants and sanctuary cities.
Hagerty explained that estimates indicate around 24,000 illegal immigrants are benefiting from HUD programs, which he believes should be reserved for deserving American citizens. The bill is designed to reinforce the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) actions to prevent illegal immigrants from receiving federal housing assistance if they live with eligible individuals.
HUD has stated that their resources serve only a quarter of eligible households in need, yet recent audits have found a significant number of households with incomplete or unknown eligibility verification. Hagerty’s bill intends to enforce HUD’s proposed rule across future administrations.
The legislation also targets sanctuary cities by denying them access to Community Development Block Grants (CBDG), which provide funding for housing and infrastructure. Hagerty claims that the current administration incentivized illegal immigration by including undocumented individuals in population counts for congressional representation.
The bill mandates that public housing authorities verify citizenship before granting assistance. It prohibits illegal immigrants from eligibility for Section 202 and Section 811, programs supporting housing for low-income elderly and disabled individuals. Hagerty argues that illegal immigrants displace disabled American taxpayers and elderly citizens.
This legislative effort is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers to combat illegal immigration across the United States.
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