Illegal Immigrants Gaining Access to Public Housing

Many vocal opponents of allowing illegal immigrants access to public welfare programs are up in arms about new reports suggesting that illegals are getting access to public housing. Admittedly, illegal immigrants make up only a small portion of those currently occupying public housing, but many feel that any occupancy is an affront to the thousands of people that apply and must wait for access to public housing every year.

The issue grabbed the attention of the nation in November, when it was reported that President-elect Barack Obama's aunt was living in public housing in Boston, even though she was living in the U.S. illegally.

Where the issue gets muddled is when the definitions of illegal immigrants are discussed. There are several possible distinctions, including ineligible non-citizens, which are those that have entered the country illegally but have had children born in the U.S. These ineligible non-citizens are legally permitted to occupy public housing under U.S. law.

While there are certainly those who are opposed to allowing illegals to access any resources intended for U.S. citizens and legal immigrants, there are many who are pointing to the fact that illegal immigrants are still a tiny percentage of the U.S. population. Illegal immigrants have taken on the role of a phantom menace within many political circles and the issue is an easy hot-button to push when attempting to mobilize an electorate.