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PHILADELPHIA — Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner issued a definitive warning to illegal immigrants residing in government-funded housing, asserting in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital that under the Trump administration, the HUD will focus exclusively on serving American citizens.
Turner stated, “Those that are here illegally and living in HUD-funded public housing are being put on notice. This situation is simply unacceptable. We will not tolerate it any longer.” He made these remarks while visiting Philadelphia, showcasing the city’s recent HUD achievements and meeting with local housing and business leaders.
The urgency of Turner’s message was clear. He emphasized, “At HUD, we currently serve only one out of four Americans that we should be assisting. This has to come to an end. We are not just making it a priority; we are making it our only priority. American citizens must benefit from the taxpayer dollars we are entrusted with.”
Focus on American Citizens
Turner’s recent initiatives underscore a paradigm shift at HUD, aiming to ensure that federal housing resources exclusively benefit American citizens. He has actively sought collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Kristi Noem. Together, they have launched a new interagency initiative designed to prevent federal housing funds from being allocated to illegal immigrants.
On a recent Monday, Turner and Noem formalized their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement aims to eliminate what they call the “wasteful misappropriation” of taxpayer-funded public housing resources, which previously extended benefits to illegal immigrants who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration.
Ending FHA Mortgages for Unauthorized Residents
In a significant policy change announced on Wednesday, Turner revealed that HUD has terminated taxpayer-backed Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgages for illegal aliens. He asserted that these financial benefits should only support Americans who adhere to the rules and contribute to society.
Turner stated, “American tax dollars should be dedicated to the benefit of American citizens, particularly in the context of our nation’s urgent housing crisis. This new agreement will leverage our resources, including technology and personnel, to prioritize American people in public housing.”
The Impact of Past Policies
Reflecting on the previous administration’s policies, Turner criticized the Biden administration for implementing “harmful” immigration strategies that exacerbated homelessness in the U.S. He argued that these policies prioritized illegal immigrants over American citizens during a time of critical need.
“We are facing a homelessness crisis and a severe housing affordability crisis,” he explained. “The previous administration’s irresponsible border security and immigration policies worsened conditions for American citizens in need of housing.”
Government’s Role in Combating Homelessness
Turner emphasized that the government should not be the sole solution to issues of housing, homelessness, drug addiction, and crime. Instead, he believes the federal government should act as a partner working alongside the private sector, faith-based organizations, and nonprofits.
He noted, “Homelessness remains a profound challenge in our country. It increased by 18% in the last year, with over 770,000 individuals experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2024, which is completely unacceptable. Despite the record funding from HUD, our nation still grapples with a homelessness crisis.”
The Importance of Collaboration
Efforts to combat homelessness must rely on building public-private partnerships. Turner passionately argued that faith-based and nonprofit organizations play critical roles in addressing these issues at the ground level.
He stated, “Public-private partnerships are essential for eradicating homelessness. Faith and nonprofit institutions engage in daily work to solve these pressing problems. The federal government is not the answer; rather, it should serve as a facilitator collaborating with those actively working on the ground.”
Contributing Factors to the Housing Crisis
Turner attributed the U.S. housing crisis to multiple factors, including rising crime, drug addiction, and unauthorized immigration. Each of these elements has exacerbated the challenges faced by American citizens seeking housing stability.
On his recent trip to Philadelphia, Turner visited areas designated as “Opportunity Zones.” These zones are economically distressed regions that encourage investment and economic development through federal tax benefits. Turner previously directed initiatives aimed at revitalizing such areas, helping to launch affordable housing and encouraging new businesses.
A Vision for the Future
Turner’s comprehensive approach aims to re-prioritize how federal housing resources are allocated, ensuring that American citizens are the primary focus of these efforts. By aligning HUD’s goals with the principle of supporting citizens first, he believes that substantial progress can be made in tackling housing issues across the nation.
As Turner moves forward with these initiatives, he remains committed to collaborating with various stakeholders who share the common goal of resolving the housing crisis while prioritizing American citizens. His vision reflects a significant shift in the administration’s approach to housing policy and immigration issues.
Fox News Digital’s Alec Schemmel and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
