U.S. Cancels Social Security for Thousands of Immigrants
- paola vanessa romero rondon
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The Trump administration canceled the Social Security numbers of 6,300 legal immigrants by registering them as "deceased." Learn how this action affects their rights and what those impacted can do.
In a recent and highly controversial move, the United States government has canceled the Social Security numbers of more than 6,300 legal immigrants by placing them in the “Death Master File,” a database used to track deceased individuals. This action cuts them off from basic services and places them in an extremely difficult situation.
When someone is listed as deceased in the Social Security system:
They can no longer work legally.
They can’t open or use bank accounts.
They lose access to federal benefits like Medicaid, unemployment insurance, or student loans.
They may be denied housing, jobs, and services from government agencies.
Effectively, they become invisible and stripped of rights within the country.
According to officials, this measure is intended to pressure immigrants into leaving the country voluntarily. As one official spokesperson stated:
“By removing the monetary incentive for illegal aliens to come and stay, we will encourage them to self-deport.”
The list of people who had their Social Security numbers canceled includes:
Immigrants with temporary legal status.
Minors, including a 13-year-old child.
People receiving Medicaid, unemployment insurance, or student loans.
In total, more than 6,300 people were affected — most of them Latino.
The decision came from a list submitted by software engineer Aram Moghaddassi, from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk.
He shared with the Social Security Administration a list of over 6,000 immigrants he suspected had received benefits irregularly. Despite a lack of solid evidence, their Social Security numbers were deactivated, and they were marked as deceased.
A White House official explained that the strategy aims to cut off all sources of legal income for immigrants so they choose to leave:
“The Administration hopes that by eliminating their ability to earn a legal living, they’ll decide to leave the country voluntarily.”
Many legal experts and government officials have criticized the measure:
They argue it violates individuals’ privacy rights.
They point out that the Social Security Administration is not an immigration enforcement agency.
Even the agency itself has admitted that being mistakenly listed as deceased can lead to serious financial consequences, and correcting the error is a long and difficult process.
It’s also been reported that the government plans to share the addresses of 98,000 people with ICE, making it easier to locate and deport them.
There is growing fear that this measure could expand to include even more people, including:
Those who entered legally through programs like CBP One.
TPS (Temporary Protected Status) beneficiaries, a program recently dismantled by presidential order.
Even U.S. citizens could be affected by system errors, as has happened before.
What to Do if Your Social Security Number Is Canceled by Mistake
If you find yourself affected by this situation, follow these steps:
Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) as soon as possible.
Gather documents that prove your identity and legal status (passport, permits, contracts, receipts).
Speak with an immigration or civil rights attorney to represent you.
Notify your bank, employer, or landlord if you’re facing issues related to your number.
Canceling the Social Security numbers of thousands of immigrants is an extreme measure that leaves many living people without basic rights. If you're an immigrant in the U.S., stay informed, protect your documents, and act quickly if you notice your number has been deactivated.
Source: El Pais
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