President Trump’s Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner has unveiled a sweeping policy change targeting unauthorized immigrants in federally funded housing programs. Under the new directive, all individuals receiving Section 8 vouchers or residing in HUD-funded housing must now provide proof of U.S. citizenship or legal immigration status.

Turner mandated that public housing authorities across the country verify the legal status of every tenant within 30 days, requiring detailed documentation including names, addresses, unit costs, and immigration credentials. The policy aims to end what officials describe as the misuse of taxpayer dollars by unauthorized individuals.

“The administration is upholding the law to its fullest extent,” Turner stated, emphasizing that illegal aliens will no longer be permitted to bypass citizenship requirements. Current enforcement gaps have left only one in four eligible American families receiving assistance, according to HUD, with unauthorized immigrants reportedly displacing struggling citizens.

The move has been framed as a corrective measure to ensure Section 8 housing serves its intended purpose of aiding low-income Americans. Critics argue the policy reflects broader efforts to restrict access to social programs for non-citizens.

The directive follows longstanding legal provisions barring unauthorized immigrants from federal housing benefits, which have allegedly been circumvented under previous administrations. HUD pledged to enforce compliance through funding reviews and program eligibility assessments.