The Trump administration is working to prevent illegal aliens from accessing public housing, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) teaming up to end the “wasteful misappropriation” of taxpayer money. The two federal agencies laid out their plans in a memorandum of understanding, stating that they will share data and work together to identify illegal aliens who are currently in public housing. “We will safeguard precious taxpayer resources, and we will stop the harmful practices of the former Biden administration, which favored and prioritized illegal aliens over American citizens in the expenditure of housing funds and subsidies,” the memo reads, also adding that the measure is intended to “help stem the tide of illegal immigration in the United States and incentivize illegal aliens to voluntarily depart the country.” “American tax dollars should be used for the benefit of American citizens, especially when it comes to an issue as pressing as our nation’s housing crisis,” HUD Secretary Scott Turner charged. “This new agreement will leverage resources including technology and personnel to ensure American people are the only priority when it comes to public housing.” “We will continue to work closely with DHS to maximize our resources and put American citizens first,” he added. Under @POTUS, Americans will no longer take a back seat to illegal aliens. DHS @Sec_Noem and I want to make it clear: No more taxpayer-funded housing for illegals. pic.twitter.com/DWvYlSHEqg — Scott Turner (@SecretaryTurner) March 24, 2025 “If you are an illegal immigrant, you should leave now,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said. “The gravy train is over.” “The entire government will work together to identify abuse and exploitation of public benefits and make sure those in this country illegally are not receiving federal benefits or other financial incentives to stay illegally,” the Homeland Security Secretary added. HUD cited one study from the Center for Immigration Studies that found a whopping 59% of illegal alien households receive at least one form of welfare program, costing American taxpayers $42 billion. The move from the two federal agencies is the latest step that the Trump administration has taken to discourage illegal immigration into the United States, and to encourage those illegally present in the country to return home. The Trump administration has virtually sealed the southern border, and the DHS remodeled a controversial program earlier this month that was previously used to expedite the arrival and release of migrants into the country, instead turning it into a platform that illegal aliens can use to declare their intent to return home.