From DC: Immigration Enforcement Concerns, HUD Mixed-Status Rule, and Nursing Home Staffing Legislation

February 20, 2026

From DC is Justice in Aging's weekly roundup of national news and resources about issues impacting older adults. To receive From DC in your inbox as soon as its published, sign up for our mailing list.

Here’s what we’re watching in Washington:

Urge Congress to Stop Harmful Immigration Enforcement and Prioritize Health Care and Programs for Older Adults

Last week, annual appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ended as Congress and the White House have not reached an agreement on whether to make changes and cuts to immigration enforcement.

However, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are continuing their aggressive actions with billions of dollars in funding from the budget reconciliation act (H.R. 1) passed last July. These actions hurt older adults, both immigrants and non-immigrants.

Justice in Aging invites national and state aging advocacy organizations and allies to sign a letter urging Congress to consider the harm of the administration’s aggressive immigration policies on the ability of all older adults to age with dignity in their communities.

We are calling on Congress to enact adequate safeguards in immigration enforcement and restore funding for health care and other programs that help older adults and their families meet their basic needs. Use this form to sign on by Tuesday, February 24th.

Learn more about our advocacy and issues older immigrants are facing. Use this resource hub to support your advocacy to demand Congress hold ICE and CBP accountable and redirect funding to support our communities.

HUD Releases Proposed Rule on Mixed-Status Households

Today, HUD published a proposed rule that would prohibit mixed-status households from living together in HUD-assisted housing.

This proposal would also impose new documentation requirements for older adults age 62 and over to verify their citizenship and immigration status.

Comments on HUD’s proposed rule are due on April 21, 2026. Justice in Aging will soon share more resources on the proposed rule, including template comments.

Senators Introduce Federal Legislation to Establish Nursing Home Staffing Standards

This week, seven Democratic senators introduced the Nurses Belong in Nursing Homes Act to establish minimum staffing standards for nursing homes. Under the legislation, nursing homes would be required to have at least one registered nurse on duty at all times, and to provide overall nursing services staffing (including both nurses and nurse aides) at a level of at least 3.5 hours per resident per day.

In essence, the legislation would re-establish staffing standards set by federal regulations in 2024. These regulatory standards, however, are no longer in effect – they were enjoined by federal district courts in Texas and Iowa, delayed until 2034 by H.R. 1, and then rescinded by the federal government effective February 2, 2026. Justice in Aging submitted comments opposing the rescission.

For advocacy purposes, be aware that existing federal law continues to require nursing homes to maintain “sufficient nursing staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to provide nursing and related services to assure resident safety and attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident.”

Also, the recent rescission left in place two important provisions of the 2024 regulations: detailed procedures for a nursing home’s assessment of its capacity to provide needed services, and a requirement that state Medicaid agencies report the percentage of Medicaid nursing home reimbursement used to compensate nursing home direct-care and support staff.