On April 21, 2026, the National Women’s Law Center submitted a comment to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in opposition to a proposed rule that would put tens of thousands of people—primarily women and children—at risk of losing housing or being separated from their families.

HUD’s proposal would bar mixed-status families from receiving HUD assistance to help with their housing costs. “Mixed-status” refers to families that include U.S. citizens and immigrants who are eligible for assistance, and immigrant family members who are not eligible; currently, these households can receive prorated housing assistance based on the number of eligible members.) NWLC’s comment underscores how the proposed rule is not only inconsistent with existing law but would also have devastating real-world consequences. The rule would force nearly 80,000 people in mixed-status families—including close to 37,000 children—to make the impossible decision to either separate or lose their housing assistance and face eviction. The proposed rule would also create unnecessary red tape that would threaten housing security for millions more people currently receiving HUD assistance. Ultimately, this rule would cause significant administrative burdens, undermine long-standing policies that keep families housed together, and reduce access to affordable housing for all who rely on HUD programs.

NWLC’s comments opposing a similar HUD rule proposed during the first Trump administration (in 2019) are available here.