Representative Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) introduced legislation (HR 2763) on May 16 to block HUD’s proposed rule that would prohibit “mixed-status” immigrant families from living in public and other subsidized housing. The bill was cosponsored by Representatives Lou Correa (D-CA), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Chuy Garcia (D-IL), all lawmakers from states where the proposed rule will have the greatest impact. NLIHC, the National Housing Law Project, and Texas Housers have endorsed the bill.
“Secretary Carson has chosen politics over people with the end result of forcing US children to be separated from their families or risk homelessness,” Representative Garcia stated in a press release introducing the bill. “[T]his cruel and shameless proposal by Secretary Carson will significantly harm already impoverished children and pass on significant costs to taxpayers. That is why we are acting now to end this proposal before it can do real harm to our families and communities.”
“The Trump Administration continues to find new ways to harass and discriminate against immigrants and working families,” stated Congressman Jesús “Chuy” Garcia. “At a time when millions in our country struggle to find affordable housing, HUD’s proposal could harm U.S. citizens and immigrants who are entitled to the benefits of public or subsidized housing. The agency in charge of ending homelessness is being used to carryout Trump’s anti-immigrant policies to kick the most vulnerable among us to the curb.”
“The cruelty of Secretary Carson’s proposal is breathtaking, and the harm it would inflict on children, families and communities is severe,” NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel stated in the same press release. “Tens of thousands of deeply poor kids, mostly US citizens, could be evicted and made homeless by this proposal, and – by HUD’s own admission – there would be zero benefit to families on waiting lists. This proposal is another in a long line of attempts by the administration to instill fear in immigrants throughout the country. We will not stand for it.”
Members from the Los Angeles congressional delegation also sent a letter to HUD Secretary Ben Carson demanding the proposed rule be withdrawn, as it could lead to family separations and exacerbate homelessness in Los Angeles and the greater region. Their letter reads in part: “The collateral damage of this policy on U.S. citizen children is unconscionable. We disagree with the spirit of the proposed rule. Not only would this proposal significantly increase costs under an Administration that has continually proposed cuts to housing programs, but it is also an indication that your approach lacks the fundamental compassion that our government should employ when making decisions of this magnitude.”
Learn more about HR 2763 at: https://bit.ly/2w71Mpq.
Read the press release announcing the introduction of HR 2763 at: https://bit.ly/2w1t54z
Learn more about the proposed mixed-status rule and submit comments to HUD in opposition at: https://www.keep-families-together.org/