Take Action: Submit a Comment to HUD to Protect Immigrants

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What’s happening?

Since 1996, federal law has allowed families with mixed immigration statuses to live together in HUD housing. HUD issued a new proposal on February 20, 2026 that would upend this long-standing policy, forcing these families to face an impossible choice: separate or become homeless together. If finalized, an estimated 80,000 residents would be evicted — including 37,000 children, most of whom are U.S. citizens.

The typical mixed-status household is a family of four with two children and two adults. Among these families, three of the four family members are typically U.S. citizens. Families would need to decide whether to split up to keep the eligible members housed – or face eviction and homelessness together.

The proposed rule would also require all tenants to undergo new, stricter eligibility requirements proving their citizenship or eligible immigration status. Many tenants will struggle to obtain necessary documentation, like a passport or birth certificate, even if they are citizens.ii The costs and time required for Housing Authorities to verify everyone’s status would also be staggering – HUD itself estimates $100 million.

Lastly, this proposal would mean lost rent for Housing Authorities of up to $300 million per year, since mixed-status families pay higher rents than others.

This proposal destabilizes families, undermines housing stability, and strains local systems without fiscal or operational justification.

If finalized, the rule would:

• • Force mixed status families to remove a member, such as separating parents and children, or lose their housing
  • Cause traumatizing impacts for whole communities who will lose valued neighbors, including children
  • Cause ripple effects in the community, as people leave jobs and leadership roles in businesses, faith institutions, food pantries, and much more
  • Require every public housing resident to undergo a new, stricter citizenship or immigration status verification – and risk evictions for those who cannot obtain costly documentation
  • Create sweeping and expensive administrative burdens for already-strapped Housing Authorities
  • Trigger an estimated $300 million annual rent loss nationwide, since mixed-status families pay higher rents than other families
  • Add additional costs to Housing Authorities to process evictions of citizens, eligible immigrants, and others, including children, who cannot obtain necessary documents

Learn more about the impact of the proposed rule.

What are we doing?

We are going to fight back against the Trump administration’s attempt to harm immigrant families and our communities and worsen the housing crisis for everyone.

Trump tried to evict families with mixed immigration status during his first administration, but thousands of people came together to stop it. We can do it again.

There is a 60-day period when we can submit comments on the proposal. We’re going to ensure that Massachusetts public housing tenants get their voices heard and show that we are standing against this proposal.

How do I submit a comment?

HUD will be accepting comments on this rule until April 21, 2026. They are required by law to read and consider the comments they receive. Any person, group, or organization can submit a comment. Comments can even be anonymous but must be submitted in English.

1. 1. Draft your comment using the guidance below.
   2. Complete the comment form at https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/HUD-2026-0199-0001.
   3. Send your comment to info@massunion.org so we can aggregate all the comments from Massachusetts tenants and their supporters, and potentially share your perspective (with your permission).

Comment Guidance

1. 1. Begin by stating your opposition: “I strongly oppose HUD’s proposed rule “Housing and Community Development Act of 1980: Verification of Eligible Status (FR-6524).””
   2. Name your demand: “The Trump administration should immediately withdraw its current proposal.”
   3. Share why this is important to you. How will it affect you and your community?

• • What effect would it have on you and your community, including children, if many immigrant families were suddenly displaced from federal public housing?
  • If you live in federal public housing: What would it be like to have to reverify your citizenship or immigration status? Do you and other tenants have a passport or birth certificate easily accessible? How would this affect your community?
  • If your housing authority has any federal housing: What effect would it have on your community if the Housing Authority had to spend time and money on new bureaucratic hurdles, like more strict citizenship verifications for all federal tenants and voucher holders?
  • If your housing authority has any federal housing: What effect would it have on you and your neighbors if nationwide, Housing Authorities lost $300 million in revenue each year.

4. Tell HUD what you want them to do instead, like “work with Congress to fully fund public housing and ensure everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home.”

Remember: these comments are public, so don’t include any identifying details that could be used to target specific families or communities.