24 C.F.R. § 5.510
§ 5.510 Documents of eligible immigration status. (24 CFR Part 5)
Operative Text
(a) General. A responsible entity shall request and review original documents of eligible immigration status. The responsible entity shall retain photocopies of the documents for its own records and return the original documents to the family. (b) Acceptable evidence of eligible immigration status. Acceptable evidence of eligible immigration status shall be the original of a document designated by INS as acceptable evidence of immigration status in one of the six categories mentioned in § 5.506(a) for the specific immigration status claimed by the individual.
Under 24 CFR Part 5 § 5.510, housing program administrators are required to examine original immigration status documents—not copies—when verifying a household member's eligible immigration status. After reviewing those originals, the administrator must photocopy them for the program's own records and then return the originals to the family. Only documents officially designated by the immigration authorities as acceptable evidence for one of the six immigration status categories outlined in § 5.506(a) qualify under this rule.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators and administrators subject to 24 CFR Part 5 § 5.510 generally collect and inspect original immigration documents in person, make and retain photocopies for the program file, and promptly return the originals to the household. Compliant practice means never retaining original documents beyond the review period and ensuring that only documents recognized under the six categories in § 5.506(a) are accepted as valid evidence. Maintaining clear, organized photocopies in resident files supports audit readiness and demonstrates adherence to the verification process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 24 CFR Part 5 § 5.510, households have the right to have their original immigration documents returned to them after the responsible entity has reviewed and photocopied them—the program is not permitted to keep the originals. If a housing administrator refuses to return original documents or attempts to accept documentation outside the categories recognized under § 5.506(a), that may constitute a procedural violation worth raising with the relevant housing authority or program oversight office. Tenant-rights organizations and HUD's local field offices can be resources for understanding how this provision applies to a particular federally assisted housing program.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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