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Today, when I pressed him on HUD policies @SecretaryCarson condescendingly told me to think \"logically\" not \"emotionally.\" Thanks for mansplaining, Mr. Secretary, but what's NOT logical is cutting housing budget and then saying there's a housing shortage!https://t.co/8oWSaNbDHn

— Rep. Nydia Velazquez (@NydiaVelazquez) May 21, 2019

“Well stated, Mr. Secretary,” Posey said, adding that he didn’t want to see Carson “bullied and berated” for “not breaking the law.”

At one point, Velazquez fired back at Posey: “You’re calling me selfish? For fighting for children in America?”

The law has never allowed undocumented immigrants to qualify for federal housing assistance. But under existing rules in effect for two decades, only one person living in a household needs to meet immigration requirements, which could include a child born in the U.S.

The amount of housing assistance is then prorated based on the number of people in a household who qualify. Housing advocates say this rule is enough to ensure undocumented migrants aren't getting access to federal assistance, while still supporting legal residents and citizens.

Thank you, @RepJuanVargas for so clearly laying out the truth about how and which immigrants receive housing assistance. @SecretaryCarson proves his ignorance when he asks “how do you prorate a roof over someone’s head?” Here’s how: https://t.co/nnVXHjB6Rp pic.twitter.com/H5MUc1y1kj

— Diane Yentel (@dianeyentel) May 21, 2019

My constitutional responsibility is to enforce existing law as it is written by Congress. pic.twitter.com/gWcsv9wvZj

— Ben Carson (@SecretaryCarson) May 21, 2019

Under Carson’s plan, every person living in a unit that receives federal assistance would have eligible immigration status. The rule also would require that anyone holding the lease meets its immigration requirements.

Carson’s proposal, which is subject to a 60-day public comment period and was expected to trigger a court challenge, is one of several steps the Trump administration has taken in recent months to try to curb access to public services by immigrant families. Critics say the administration's policies will adversely impact the most vulnerable populations.

Carson said the long wait lists for Americans looking for affordable housing is why he believes the change is needed.

“Unless we begin to tackle the things that are driving these prices, we’re just chasing our tails by just saying we’ve to throw money at it,” said Carson.

According to an agency analysis of the rule, the rule is expected to drive out of the program some 25,000 families whose members have \"mixed\" legal status. The analysis found that among these families, 76,141 people in these families are eligible for assistance and that 73 percent of those eligible members -- roughly 55,000-- are an infant, child or teen under 17 who is in the country legally and qualifies for assistance.

The agency concluded in its analysis that the rule is likely to drive these families out of federally supported housing, rather than split up to retain benefits.

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