The immigration debate in the United States has become more heated than ever before. Many Americans feel as though the government is allowing too many immigrants every year and that this influx of people is negatively affecting their own livelihoods.
Now, a housing support group in Oregon has announced that it will award $30,000 grants, but only to non-American citizens. US-born residents of the state who can’t afford housing are infuriated.
The US Immigration Debate
Immigration in the United States has been a hot-button topic for decades. However, in recent years, it has become more divisive than ever before.
While millions of Americans believe that migration is a human right for all people and a cornerstone of the nation, others argue that immense immigration has adverse effects on the American people.
How Many Migrants Live in the US?
Every year, more than 2.5 million migrants arrive on US soil, some of whom enter legally and others who cross the border unseen.
In fact, as of 2022, more than 46.2 million foreign-born migrants were living in the US, 11.4 million of whom are unauthorized. And many Americans who oppose immigration believe that these 46 million migrants are receiving the assistance and government funding citizens need and deserve.
Housing Support Group in Oregon Is Under Fire
An example of this reality recently made headlines when a housing support center in Oregon said it would be allotting $30,000 for multiple housing grants only to non-US citizens.
The post, which Oregon Citizen shared, read, “Grant for first-time home buyers in the state of Oregon: $30,000. Conditions: Only for people who are not American citizens. For example (ITIN holders, DACA recipients, refugees, asylees, green card holders, amongst others.”
Hacienda Specifically Works to Help Migrants
It’s important to note that the support ground, the Hacienda Community Development Corporation, which initially posted the grant, is not a government-run program.
Instead, it is a Latino-led non-profit that focuses explicitly on “strengthen[ing] families by providing affordable housing, homeownership support, economic advancement, and educational opportunities” within the migrant community of Oregon.
State Taxes Fund Hacienda’s Program
However, it has become public knowledge that this particular housing grant program is being financed by Orgeon’s tax-funded Economic Equity Investment Program (EEIP).
This means that all Oregon residents contribute to Hacienda’s housing program through state taxes. Some Oregonians, including State Representative Ed Diehl, believe that this situation is “appalling.”
Many Oregon Citizens Cannot Afford to Buy Their Own Homes
Diehl and many others within the state argue that Oregonians shouldn’t have to pay for housing grants for migrants, especially as thousands can’t even afford to purchase homes for their own families.
As of January 2024, the median value for homes in Oregon rose to $479,906 and $538,294 in the city of Portland, which are both significantly higher than the nation’s median price of $412,300.
Oregon Is Facing a Significant Housing Shortage
In addition to the ever-growing cost of homes in Oregon, residents are also struggling with a notable housing shortage.
As state economist Josh Lehner explained, “[Oregon has] the worst affordability. Low vacancies and high prices is indicative of a housing shortage. And I think that’s clearly what we’ve been in for a while now.”
The Problem Is Prioritizing Housing for Non-Citizens
Representative Diehl posted on his X, formerly Twitter profile, “We have a severe housing shortage in this state. I am appalled that the hard-earned, limited tax dollars of Oregonians are being used to prioritize homeownership for certain non-US citizens.”
Many people immediately agreed with Diehl’s shock and frustration, writing, “This isn’t real, is it?” and “How is this even remotely possible?”
The EEIP Program Is Discriminatory
Oregon’s EEIP program has generated more than $23 million over the past two years, and according to Oregon Senate Bill 1579, this money has been distributed through groups like Hacienda for “culturally responsive services.”
And now, with Hacienda’s post, it’s clear that the money is only being used for non-citizens, which Diehl says means the EEIP program “discriminates based upon race and citizenship.” He argues that this is not only unconstitutional, it’s also illegal.
Both Republicans and Democrats Are Starting to Question the US Immigration Policies
Historically, members of the Republican party, including Diehl, have generally opposed immigration while the Democratic party showed its support of foreign-born migrants.
However, with the intense influx of immigrants in recent years, even many Democrats, including many in Oregon, now agree that the current immigration policies are problematic.
The Immigration Debate May Decide the Presidential Election
The situation in Oregon is just one example of how Americans are frustrated with the ongoing immigration situation.
And many agree that how the two candidates for the 2024 presidential election, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, plan to handle immigration may just decide who wins the Oval Office in November.
