Trump Accused of Misusing Social Security Records
This week, it has been reported that the Trump administration incorrectly marked thousands of immigrants as deceased in Social Security records, an action believed to be aimed at pushing them out of the U.S. This move has sparked significant outrage from various advocacy groups and legislators.
The administration allegedly entered the names and Social Security numbers of approximately 6,000 immigrants into the Social Security “death master file.” As a result, these individuals have lost their legal rights to work and receive benefits in the U.S., a tactic intended to coerce them into leaving the country voluntarily, according to multiple reports from Thursday.
Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, condemned this action as a “shocking abuse of power” in her statement. She highlighted the dire consequences of such an action, including loss of income, health insurance, and access to essential financial services, which could devastate lives.
Altman also expressed concern about the potential expansion of this practice, suggesting that it could extend to marking any perceived adversaries of the administration as deceased. She criticized the misuse of funds contributed by workers specifically for Social Security benefits, stating that diverting these funds for destructive purposes contradicts Trump’s promises not to cut benefits.
“Using Social Security as a weapon is shocking and wrong, and it’s likely that House Republicans will not intervene.”
Reports from The Washington Post indicate that this decision to classify immigrants as deceased was ordered by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who, alongside other officials, is aggressively pursuing Trump’s broad deportation strategy.
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick from the American Immigration Council described the strategy as completely unprecedented and fraught with potential complications for many individuals.
He noted on social media the high risk of errors with such a drastic measure, suggesting that even legally residing individuals could be mistakenly declared deceased.
The Post also detailed that those targeted typically are immigrants who, although initially entered the U.S. with valid Social Security numbers through temporary work programs under the Biden administration, have now seen those permissions lapse.
The memorandums that facilitated this action were reportedly signed by Noem and Leland Dudek, the acting Social Security commissioner, with the justification of national security and the provisions of the Social Security Act.
A report from The New York Times highlighted that the first names added to the death file included convicted criminals and ‘suspected terrorists,’ with indications that the scope might expand to include others illegally in the country.
The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimated that undocumented immigrants contributed approximately $26 billion to Social Security taxes in 2022 alone.
Dudek, criticized for his handling of the Social Security Administration since his appointment by Trump, reportedly informed staff via email that the financial identities of the immigrants listed in the death file would be “terminated.” There are also reports of sensitive data being shared with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Following a revelation of internal emails, Dudek faced demands for his resignation after allegedly terminating contracts with Maine as a direct response to criticisms from Governor Janet Mills that displeased President Trump.
The acting leader’s management changes, including significant staffing reductions and the closure of field offices, are reportedly causing severe disruptions for recipients and staff alike. According to an earlier report from the Times, these changes have led to a flood of concerned beneficiaries to local offices, overwhelmed by unresponsive phone lines and fears of losing their benefits.
Understaffing, exacerbated by waves of buyouts and early retirements, has further strained the capacity of local offices, making it increasingly difficult for recipients to access services.
In response, Representatives John Larson (D-Conn.) and Richard Neal (D-Mass.) issued a statement on Thursday denouncing the administration’s actions as “digital murder” and warning of the severe implications for those affected, potentially forcing them out of the country. They called on supporters of Social Security to voice their concerns, labeling Trump and his administration as significant threats to the well-being and benefits of the people.
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