Senator Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., has introduced new legislation titled the "End Housing Welfare for Illegal Aliens Act," which seeks to restrict illegal immigrants from accessing federal housing benefits and to cut off community development grants to sanctuary cities.
Hagerty stated that illegal immigrants are being allowed to utilize federally subsidized housing programs, which he contends puts them ahead of Americans seeking similar assistance. "They're using American taxpayer dollars to jump to the front of the line while putting Americans at the back of the lines. It's got to stop," Hagerty told Fox News Digital.
The bill is part of a broader effort by Republicans and the Trump administration to limit the ability of illegal immigrants and sanctuary cities to receive benefits, which they argue comes at the expense of American citizens.
According to preliminary estimates cited by Hagerty, approximately 24,000 individuals who are in the country illegally are currently using housing programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The senator expressed concern that this usage crowds out eligible Americans. HUD data indicates that nearly 200,000 tenants in assisted households have incomplete or unverified eligibility, with an estimated 24,000 being illegal immigrants, ineligibles, or fraudsters within "mixed status households."
Hagerty's legislation would codify efforts by HUD to close loopholes that have permitted illegal immigrants to receive federal housing aid when living with eligible residents. The bill aims to enforce these proposed rules under all future administrations, preventing potential changes in policy.
Additionally, the bill proposes to eliminate what Hagerty described as "Biden-era incentives" for sanctuary cities by barring them from receiving Community Development Block Grants (CBDG). These grants fund affordable housing, infrastructure, and local services. Hagerty suggested that sanctuary city policies are being adopted in some areas due to incentives tied to population counts for congressional representation and electoral votes.
The legislation would mandate that public housing authorities verify citizenship before providing housing assistance, changing the current discretionary "may" to a required "shall." It would also explicitly make illegal immigrants ineligible for Section 202 and Section 811 programs, which are designed to provide affordable housing for low-income elderly individuals and people with disabilities.
Hagerty expressed optimism about the bill's prospects, stating, "The goal is to pass the legislation. And I think if you polled Americans, you'd find this is extraordinarily popular."