The Trump administration is proposing a new rule that would force immigrant families to decide between living together and separating to avoid eviction from housing. 

In May, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development proposed a new rule that would prevent “mixed status” families from living in public housing together or receiving Section 8 housing vouchers. Mixed status families consist of family members who are both eligible and ineligible to receive public housing assistance based on their immigration status.

Under current rules, ineligible family members can live in the same household with their family, but the amount of HUD assistance is based upon the number of eligible family members. None of the public housing assistance pays for an ineligible family member’s share of rent.

The Trump administration’s proposed rule is a blanket attack on all immigrant families who need housing assistance. A person can have lawful immigration status, but still not be eligible for housing assistance. Examples of immigrants with legal status who do not qualify for public housing assistance include immigrants with student or work visas as well as survivors of serious crimes who are granted U-visas.

Please tell the Trump administration to abandon this harsh and unfair rule!

HUD’s own analysis states that over 55,000 children who are U.S. citizens or green card holders could be evicted from their family homes under the proposed policy. 

It would also force tens of thousands of housing providers to collect documents from residents “proving” their citizenship. This requirement will impact over nine million U.S. citizens and 120,000 elderly immigrants. Many of these tenants, especially the elderly and those who have disabilities, face serious obstacles accessing required documentation.

Tell the Trump administration to keep families together in New Mexico and the nation by submitting your public comment by July 9, 2019!

Below is some content to include in your comment. To maximize its impact, make sure your comment has at least one third original text. You can submit your comment here: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=HUD-2019-0044

Sample content for your public comment:

• Families will face the decision of either breaking up in order to receive housing assistance or forgoing assistance and facing homelessness in order to stay to together.
• Mixed status families will be evicted within 18 months of the implementation of the new rule or sooner.
• HUD’s statistics show that the proposed rule will evict as many as 25,000 immigrant families including 55,000 children who are eligible for housing assistance.
• Over 9 million United States citizens and 120,000 elderly immigrants must provide further documentation of eligibility in order to continue receiving housing assistance. Many of these individuals will face serious obstacles accessing the required documentation.
• The proposed rule will actually cost more to provide housing assistance to fewer people. Millions of families struggle to find affordable housing; however, blaming immigrants will not solve this problem. Since existing law requires that subsides are prorated to only assist eligible immigrants or citizens in a household, the new rule will merely shift housing assistance benefits to other eligible individuals. HUDs own analysis admits that the policy will cost approximately $200 million dollars and will result in reduced quality and quantity of assisted housing.
• The policy will result in significant administrative costs and burdens. It will require housing providers to verify documentation that was not previously required from millions of residents. Additionally, it will force housing authorities to develop new policies to determine which families can continue to receive housing assistance.