Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on Apr. 21 that he has joined a group of 22 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter against a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The rule would prohibit mixed-status families, which include at least one eligible and one or more ineligible members due to immigration status, from living in public housing or receiving federal housing assistance such as Section 8 vouchers.
The coalition argues that the proposed change could remove legal immigrants from their homes and force families to choose between staying together or losing access to housing. This issue is important because it may increase homelessness during a period of rising housing costs and put additional pressure on state agencies.
Raoul said, “The Trump administration is once again attempting to illegally impose restrictions on the use of federal dollars that Congress has already appropriated. HUD’s proposed rule would leave families who are eligible to receive services faced with a cruel and impossible choice: Break up the family or lose housing access. The rule will increase rates of homelessness at a time of skyrocketing housing costs. I will continue to fight back when the president attempts to break the law at the expense of families in need.”
Currently, HUD policy allows mixed-eligibility households to remain together with reduced subsidies for those not eligible for aid. Under the new proposal, any household containing an ineligible member could be evicted from subsidized housing regardless if other members—including U.S. citizens—qualify for support. The proposal also includes requirements for landlords and public authorities to report certain tenants’ immigration status directly to Homeland Security, which could discourage participation in these programs.
According to HUD’s own analysis, these changes could worsen the existing affordable housing crisis by reducing both quality and quantity of assisted units while disproportionately affecting elderly residents, people with disabilities, low-income individuals, and communities of color.
The Illinois Attorney General’s office advocates for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants and seniors according to its official website. It handles thousands of consumer complaints each year according to its official website and aims to protect consumers while promoting safer communities as well as advocating for environmental issues according to its official website. Its efforts extend across Illinois according to its official website, partnering with law enforcement agencies according to its official website and offering services such as complaint filing related to consumer fraud or civil rights matters according to its official website.
Raoul was joined by attorneys general from states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland and others.
