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Original Date Announced
April 10, 2025The 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Administration (SSA) added to its death database earlier this week more than 6,300 immigrants whose legal statuses had been revoked, thereby classifying them as dead people who should no longer receive benefits. The initial names added are limited to individuals alleged by the administration to be convicted criminals and “suspected terrorists,” but officials said 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 TimesSubsequent Trump and Court Action(s)
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April 12, 2025
2025.04.12 Trump administration overrode Social Security staff to list immigrants as dead - Washington Post
The Washington Post reports that a senior SSA executive was terminated after objecting to the Trump administration’s misclassification strategy.
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April 18, 2025
2025.04.18 Reported: Immigrants prove they are alive, forcing Social Security to undo death label - Washington Post
The Washington Post reports that nearly three dozen immigrants who had falsely been labeled as dead have been reinstated into the Social Security system after showing up at field offices to prove they are alive.
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Current Status
NoneOriginal Trump Policy Status
Status: ReportedTrump Administration Action: Change in PracticeSubject Matter: EnforcementAgencies Affected: SSAAssociated or Derivative Policies
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To provide information, corrections, or feedback, please email IPTP.feedback@gmail.com
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 (SSN). Individuals without a SSN cannot legally obtain employment, collect Social Security benefits or certain other government benefits, and may become cut off from banks or other basic services.
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