This week, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has sparked significant concerns by classifying thousands of immigrants with temporary legal status and valid Social Security numbers as deceased. This alarming action, reported by three sources familiar with the situation, effectively cancels these immigrants' Social Security numbers, creating what many are calling a financial death. Such a classification can severely restrict access to financial services, as institutions depend on updated Social Security data for identity verification and death reporting.
In a notable shift, the SSA has renamed its death master file—which is used to track deceased individuals to prevent them from collecting Social Security benefits—to the ineligible master file. This change has raised eyebrows, with reports indicating that under this new designation, the SSA is incorrectly marking immigrants as dead with fabricated dates. This misclassification could render their Social Security numbers invalid and deny access to crucial government benefits.
The SSA itself acknowledged in March that erroneously reported deaths could halt benefits and lead to significant financial hardship for affected individuals, with the resolution process being lengthy and complex. The first group to be added to the ineligible master file includes over 6,000 immigrants who entered the country through former President Joe Biden's parole program, according to multiple sources. This information was initially reported by The Washington Post.
The White House has stated that this move aims to discourage these immigrants, who had financial incentives to enter via the parole system, from settling in the United States. White House spokesperson Elizabeth Huston emphasized that by removing this monetary incentive, the administration hopes to encourage self-deportation among undocumented individuals, fulfilling a promise made by President Trump to the American people.
The initial group of immigrants added to the ineligible list reportedly includes individuals with criminal records or those alleged by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to have ties to terrorism. However, there are rising concerns among Social Security employees and experts that other immigrants, including those with legal work authorization who entered through the Enumeration Beyond Entry program, could be next in line for similar treatment.
The request to add the first 6,000 names to the ineligible master file originated from DHS. Additionally, a memorandum of agreement regarding this classification was signed on Monday by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek, according to sources. This collaboration highlights the intricate relationship between the two agencies in handling immigration and Social Security matters.
The recent actions have prompted immediate backlash from Democratic Congressional members, Social Security advocates, and employees. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, the Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, expressed concerns that these actions could result in the Trump Administration unlawfully seizing legally earned Social Security benefits from American citizens. Martin O'Malley, a former SSA commissioner during the Biden administration, labeled the SSA's actions as illegal, arguing that if due process is bypassed, it sets a dangerous precedent that could affect any legally present individual in the country.
The SSA's classification of immigrants and the implications of the ineligible master file raise significant questions about the treatment of legal immigrants in the United States. As more details emerge, it is crucial for lawmakers and advocates to monitor these developments closely and advocate for the rights of those affected by these controversial policies.
