For decades, federal housing vouchers, commonly known as Section 8, have helped immigrant households and other low-income renters keep a roof over their heads.
However, a federal proposal that has been in the works for years could force immigrant families to separate or face eviction from their subsidized housing. This new rule, which has not yet taken effect, has also placed housing providers in a potential legal limbo.
In February, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it would prohibit rental subsidies for immigrant households of mixed status, in which some members hold lawful residence in the United States and others do not.
Before ending the eligibility of mixed-status households, HUD must undergo a period of public comment. It is likely that lawsuits will be filed when the agency enacts the rule.
Nevertheless, HUD is already exerting pressure on the situation. It has demanded local authorities in cities to provide records on the legal immigration status of certain residents belonging to households in which one of its members receives vouchers from the Section 8 Program.
