Ben Carson defends cruel plan to leave 55,000 children homeless

On Tuesday, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson defended a Trump administration plan that would make 55,000 or more American children homeless.

The Trump administration wants to purge undocumented immigrants from public housing — ignoring that doing so would displace children in those households who are legal residents or U.S. citizens. Current rules allow families in these situations to continue living in public housing.

Carson was questioned about the policy during his testimony at a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee.

“By evicting mixed-status households, you will rip apart families and be throwing children onto the street,” noted Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). “This is a horrible plan.”

She asked Carson what the Trump administration’s plan is to deal with the fallout of its proposed rule, and what structure is being put in place to take care of the children.

Carson was unresponsive.

“The Secretary has the duty to end assistance if he finds that someone is violating [immigration law],” Carson flatly stated. “So, we are following the law.”

“You could have a situation where the parents are deported and the children — they leave the children here, American citizens, and who is going to take care of these children?” pressed Maloney.

Carson replied by ignoring the crisis again, and setting up a false choice.

“There are hundreds of thousands if not millions who are waiting on the list. Do you suggest that we prioritize people who are in illegal situations?” Carson asked.

“You’re going to pick one American citizen over another,” Maloney countered. “These children are American citizens. They are legal.”

Carson then condescendingly claimed that if Maloney “read the rule carefully,” she would be aware of a provision to appeal the attempted purge. Carson also claimed that Congress would have ample time to address the issue via immigration reform.

But as Carson and the Trump administration should be aware, Congress is not anywhere near passing immigration reform — largely based on Trump’s obsession with a racist border wall, and long-standing Republican opposition to serious legislation addressing the issue.

In the meantime, the proposed rule would be implemented, and thousands of children would be hurt.

Carson’s callous attitude echoes his corrupt tenure at HUD and the overall Trump stance in favor of cruelty toward immigrant communities. At every turn, when Trump and his team have had a chance to choose compassion, they have pursued the most inhumane and cruel path.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.