[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 7, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S2231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OCCUPYING PUBLIC HOUSING

  Mr. BRYAN. I thank the Chair and my colleague from Iowa. Mr. 
President, I want to call the attention of my colleagues a situation, 
which I discovered during our recent December recess, dealing with 
public housing.
  Since 1980, the law has been clear that those who are illegal 
immigrants are not entitled to occupy public housing. So I was somewhat 
astonished in visiting with a housing authority director in my own 
State and to have him tell me that in the city of Reno, he would 
estimate that approximately 10 percent, maybe a little more, maybe a 
little less of those who occupy public housing are, in fact, illegal 
immigrants. At the same time, in the city of Reno--and I think this is 
replicated throughout the country--there are some 500 families waiting 
to occupy public housing.
  So I asked the question, well, if it is illegal for them to occupy 
public housing, why have you not done something about it? That, Mr. 
President, is an astonishing story. In 1982, 1984, and 1986, 
apparently, efforts were made to implement by regulation what the 
statute establishes by way of policy. Through a series of 
administrative or bureaucratic delays and obfuscation, in fact, none of 
these regulations have been implemented.
  So currently the housing authority directors in America are told that 
although the 1980 law remains in effect, you may not inquire and you 
may not verify the resident status of those persons who seek to make 
application to occupy public housing. May I say, Mr. President, this is 
absolutely absurd and ridiculous.
  The law says that they ought not to be eligible--those who are 
illegal immigrants--to occupy public housing. Nevertheless, they are 
permitted to do so. There is a glimmer of hope. That is, that there is 
a rule making its way through the Office of Management and Budget, and 
I urge OMB to implement that regulation immediately so that the policy 
since 1988 may be carried out.
  I thank you, Mr. President for your courtesy and that of the 
distinguished Senator from Iowa.
  I yield the floor.

                          ____________________