Recent executive actions targeting immigrants include efforts to limit refugee assistance and to use HUD to identify immigrants. For questions, contact Sonya Schwartz at [email protected].
HHS Provides Notice of New Limits on Refugee Assistance
On March 21, the Director of Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) announced new limits to the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) eligibility period. The agency plans to limit the receipt of benefits for both programs from 12 months to only four months. This is a “notice” that will take effect for participants becoming eligible for benefits beginning on May 5, 2025, but it will not impact people already receiving benefits before that date.
HUD and DHS Sign MOU
On March 24, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and interagency partnership to facilitate data sharing and ensure that housing funds are not being used to support people who are not lawfully present.
The agencies committed to identifying people who they believe are improperly receiving federal housing assistance and taking remedial action, including referring them for immigration enforcement actions. HUD Secretary Turner appeared on Fox and Newsmax to promote this effort. -
This MOU does not change eligibility for HUD programs. HUD Public Housing and Section 8 Programs do not provide assistance to immigrants who are not lawfully present. However, household members ineligible for housing assistance based on their immigration status may live in a household with people eligible for HUD-assistance. In these households, the HUD subsidy is prorated, resulting in a higher rent.
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