Senator Bill Hagerty Introduces Act to Ban Illegal Immigrants From Housing

Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee introduced the End Housing Welfare for Illegal Aliens Act to restrict undocumented immigrants from accessing federal housing assistance. The legislation aims to close loopholes that allow illegal immigrants to receive benefits while living as roommates with eligible individuals and requires public housing authorities to verify citizenship.

The bill specifically bars undocumented individuals from Section 202 and Section 811 affordable housing programs for the elderly and disabled. Furthermore, it seeks to block sanctuary cities from receiving federal Community Development Block Grants. Hagerty argued these measures are necessary to prevent illegal immigrants from crowding out American citizens and to remove incentives established under the Biden administration.

The push for the legislation follows estimates from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, indicating that approximately 24,000 undocumented immigrants and fraudsters are utilizing assistance programs. The Trump administration is currently coordinating with GOP members of Congress to halt the use of federal benefits by illegal immigrants and sanctuary cities.