The Social Security Administration (SSA) has initiated a process this week to classify thousands of non-citizen immigrants holding temporary legal status and valid Social Security numbers as deceased. This administrative reclassification effectively cancels the individual’s Social Security number (SSN).
The move potentially creates what sources described as a “financial death.” Financial institutions heavily rely on SSA data, specifically the agency’s master death records, to verify identities and confirm deaths. By classifying these individuals as deceased, the SSA action could lead banks and other institutions to cut off access to accounts and credit for those affected.
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This development was first reported by The New York Times.
The SSA recently renamed its “death master file” – traditionally used to track deceased individuals and prevent improper benefit payments – to the “ineligible master file.”
Under this newly named file, the agency is reportedly assigning false death dates to certain immigrants, thereby invalidating their SSNs and potentially blocking access to any government benefits they might be entitled to.
The SSA itself noted in March that correcting an “erroneously reported” death can inflict “financial hardship” and presents a “long and challenging” process for the individual.
According to the Associated Press, the first cohort added to this “ineligible master file” comprises over 6,000 immigrants who entered the United States through a parole program instituted under former President Joe Biden.
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The White House framed the move as a measure to encourage self-deportation.
According to two sources, the individuals in this initial group were identified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as having criminal records or alleged ties to terrorism. The request to add these names to the SSA’s file originated from DHS. Furthermore, a memorandum of agreement regarding this data sharing and reclassification was signed on Monday by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek.
Despite the official justification focusing on individuals with alleged security concerns, there is significant unease among SSA employees and immigration policy experts. They express concern that this policy could be expanded to include other categories of immigrants who possess legally obtained SSNs, such as those with valid work authorizations obtained through programs like “Enumeration Beyond Entry.”
Under current regulations, many lawfully present immigrants, including those with work permits or green cards, are eligible for specific types of SSNs necessary for employment.
However, eligibility for receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits often requires meeting specific qualifications, including, for many, a minimum period (often five years) of paying into the system after achieving qualified immigrant status.
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