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2.0

Reported: Trump administration pushes Social Security Administration to misclassify certain immigrants as dead

  1. Original Date Announced

    April 10, 2025

    The New York Times reports that the Trump administration is purposely misclassifying certain living immigrants as dead--and effectively terminating their Social Security numbers--to encourage them to "self-deport." The Social Security Administration added earlier this week more than 6,300 immigrants whose legal statuses had been revoked to its death database, which is used to track dead people who should no longer receive benefits. The initial names added are limited to individuals whom the administration alleges are convicted criminals and “suspected terrorists,” but officials said that the effort could broaden to include undocumented immigrants.

    Trump 2.0 [ID #1680]

    2025.04.10 Reported: Social Security Lists Thousands of Migrants as Dead to Prompt Them to ‘Self-Deport’ - New York Times

Current Status

None

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Reported
Trump Administration Action: Change in Practice
Subject Matter: Enforcement
Agencies Affected: SSA

Associated or Derivative Policies

Commentary

  • 2025.04.11 What we know about the Social Security Administration listing thousands of living immigrants as dead - AP

    AP explains the implications of this tactic and the consequences of losing access to a Social Security number. Individuals without a Social Security number cannot legally obtain employment, collect Social Security benefits or certain government benefits, and may even become cut off from banks or other basic services.

    Go to article
  • 2025.04.12 Trump administration overrode Social Security staff to list immigrants as dead - Washington Post

    The Washington Post reports that a senior executive at the Social Security Administration was terminated after objecting to the Trump administration’s misclassification strategy.

    Go to article

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To provide information, corrections, or feedback, please email IPTP.feedback@gmail.com