In an unexpected and troubling policy shift, the Social Security Administration has set its sights on immigrants with temporary legal status, reclassifying thousands of them as deceased in its records. This move disrupts their financial identity within systems that are pivotal for day-to-day survival, from jobs to banking to accessing federal benefits. Reports from KHOU and CBS News have lifted the veil on the SSA's rechristening of the "Death Master File" to the "Ineligible Master File," with more than 6,000 immigrants affected by the change.
According to information obtained by CBS News, the White House attributes this policy alteration to an effort to encourage immigrants to "self-deport" by removing what it calls the "monetary incentive" for their stay in the United States. 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.” However, allegations have also arisen regarding some individuals in the group being flagged for supposed criminal or concerns connected to security.
Meanwhile, this policy has not been without its vocal critics. The ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, commented on the SSA's action, "This 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," as reported by KHOU. Martin O'Malley, the former SSA commissioner, also criticized the measure, telling CBS News, "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."
This policy has serious effects, especially for people caught up in it—many of whom have legal Social Security numbers and are allowed to work in the U.S. In March, the SSA admitted that fixing a wrongly reported death is a long and difficult process, making things even harder for those affected. There's also growing concern among SSA workers and experts that this policy, which now affects immigrants in a Biden-era parole program, could soon impact other legal immigrants too.
