Taxpayer-funded housing for illegal immigrants in GOP's crosshairs: 'It's got to stop'

Taxpayer-funded housing for illegal immigrants in GOP's crosshairs: 'It's got to stop' EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., is introducing new legislation that works to restrict illegal aliens from reaping federal housing benefits, blocking loopholes and cutting off access for sanctuary cities to receive federal community development grants. "[ Illegal immigrants ] have been allowed to participate in federally subsidized housing programs," Hagerty told Fox News Digital. "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." The End Housing Welfare for Illegal Aliens Act is part of a larger effort by bo

th the Trump administration and GOP members of Congress to halt illegal immigrants and sanctuary cities' ability to thrive, which they claim often comes at the expense of benefits for the American people. HOUSE REPUBLICANS MOVE TO MAKE TRUMP'S BORDER POLICIES PERMANENT "The Trump administration has taken a look at this," Hagerty said. "The preliminary estimates are 24,000 of these illegals are utilizing HUD programs. Again, crowding out Americans that would be deserving of these programs and, again, putting illegals into these positions." The bill Hagerty is putting forward codifies the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) efforts to close loopholes that allow illegal imm

igrants to receive federal benefits on taxpayer-funded housing if they are roommates with eligible individuals. "HUD housing assistance is intended for U.S. citizens and certain eligible noncitizens, yet HUD resources serve only a quarter of eligible households in need," HUD said in a statement. "Meanwhile, a recent HUD and DHS audit of all assisted households identified nearly 200,000 tenants with incomplete or unknown eligibility verification. Furthermore, HUD estimates approximately 24,000 illegal aliens, ineligibles and fraudsters in 20,000 ‘mixed status households’ benefit from HUD assistance." Hagerty’s bill, if passed, would enforce this proposed rule by HUD Secretary Scott Turner und