Social Security Numbers Invalidated for Legal Immigrants

The Social Security Administration has recently implemented a concerning practice affecting thousands of immigrants with temporary legal status in the United States. According to multiple sources familiar with the situation, these individuals are being classified as deceased in government systems. This troubling change in Social Security policy effectively cancels their Social Security number, creating serious financial hardships for people who are legally present in our country.

When someone’s Social Security number is invalidated in this manner, they often lose access to essential banking services and financial resources. Financial institutions rely on Social Security data to verify identities, and without valid numbers, many immigrants are finding themselves cut off from systems they depend on for daily living.

Understanding the “Ineligible Master File” System in Social Security

In recent days, the SSA has made a significant change by renaming their “death master file” to the “ineligible master file,” according to three sources who shared information with CBS News. Traditionally, this database has tracked deaths to prevent improper Social Security benefits payments to deceased individuals.

Under this new approach, the Social Security Administration is reportedly classifying living immigrants as deceased by assigning fabricated death dates. This practice invalidates their Social Security numbers and prevents access to benefits they may be entitled to. The agency itself has acknowledged that when death is “erroneously reported,” it stops benefits, can cause “financial hardship,” and creates a correction process that is “long and challenging” for those affected.

Initial Impact on Parole Program Participants

The first group added to this Social Security “ineligible master file” includes more than 6,000 immigrants who entered the country through former President Trump promised mass deportations, according to two sources. The White House has been forthcoming about the intention behind this policy shift.

White House spokesperson Elizabeth Huston stated: “President Trump promised mass deportations and by removing the monetary incentive for illegal aliens to come and stay, we will encourage them to self-deport. He is delivering on his promise he made to the American people.”

Who Might Be Affected by Social Security Changes?

The initial group reportedly consists of immigrants with:

• Criminal records
• Those whom the Department of Homeland Security claims have connections to terrorism

However, Social Security employees and experts have expressed worry that other immigrants with legal Social Security numbers could soon face similar challenges. This might include those with legal work authorization who entered through the “Enumeration Beyond Entry” program.

According to two sources, the request to add the first 6,000 names came from DHS. A memorandum of agreement about this change was reportedly signed on Monday by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek.

Social Security Benefits for Immigrants: The Facts

It’s important to understand that specific qualifications exist for lawful immigrants to receive Social Security benefits. Immigrants with work authorization or those with green cards can obtain specialized Social Security numbers, but they aren’t entitled to payments from taxes paid within their first five years in the country.

Voices of Concern

Democratic Congressional members, Social Security employees, and advocates have quickly raised alarms about this policy change and its potential impact on vulnerable communities.

Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden of Oregon expressed that the action “raises the prospect of the Trump Administration stealing legally earned Social Security benefits from American citizens, further proof that Trump’s promise to protect Social Security is a lie.”

Martin O’Malley, who served as SSA commissioner during the Biden administration, described the move as “illegal on so many scores,” adding, “If without due process, Trump and Musk can unlawfully ‘disappear’ or ‘digitally murder’ anyone who legally entered our country, then they can do it to anyone already legally here.”