Following an executive order from President Donald Trump, the Department of Housing (HUD) will require proof of citizenship or legal immigration status from approximately 200,000 tenants, in addition to asking housing administrators to report undocumented immigrants. United States.

The February 19, 2025 decision established under Executive Order 14218 against taxpayer subsidies for undocumented immigrants.

“I am writing to you today to remind you of your obligation to take the necessary steps to ensure that assistance reaches only eligible individuals,” says the directive signed by Benjamin R. Hobbs, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the HUB's Office of Public and Indian Housing. “As you know, eligibility for federal housing assistance is limited to US citizens and non-citizens with eligible immigration status.”

Proof of citizenship will not only be required of the person signing the lease, but also of anyone living on the property and receiving public benefits.

“The citizenship or immigration eligible status of each household member, regardless of age, must be determined prior to admission to the Public Housing program or the Housing Choice Voucher program,” it states. “Likewise, citizenship or eligible immigration status must be determined before adding any person to an assisted living household.” Even parents of individuals under 18 years of age must sign an affidavit stating that their children are US citizens or have legal presence documents in the US To demonstrate citizenship, HUD recommends requiring families to present birth certificates, naturalization certificates, passports, or other documentation. For adults 62 years of age and older, proof of age must also be presented, as well as any document confirming their legal immigration status.

President Trump has indicated that his administration will not fund social assistance for undocumented immigrants in the country.

They ask to report undocumented immigrants

The directive recalls that the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) requires HUD and PHAs to notify the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about any person they believe to be undocumented in the country.

“When evaluating applications for assistance, if a PHA formally issues a finding of fact or a conclusion of law, supported by a determination by DHS or the Executive Office for Immigration Review […] that an individual is not lawfully in the United States, the PHA must provide DHS with a report containing the individual's name, address, and other identifying information,” it states.

Regarding immigration status verification, the Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), responsible for Assistance programs must verify through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

“The primary method for verifying eligible immigration status is the USCIS automated system, Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement (SAVE),” the directive states. “HUD is actively collaborating with USCIS to establish protocols that monitor PHA access and ensure that PHAs maintain access to fulfill their obligations.”