Trump administration has reportedly added over 6,000 immigrants to the U.S. Social Security Administration’s “death file,” effectively terminating their benefits and access to employment, according to reports by The Washington Post and The New York Times.
The immigrants, now classified as deceased in federal records, have had their Social Security Numbers (SSNs) rendered inactive—shutting them out from work, federal aid, and basic services such as housing and banking. A White House official stated the move is part of a broader strategy to pressure undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the country.
This measure, said to be spearheaded by staff from the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aligns with the Trump administration’s increasingly hardline immigration stance during his second term. It follows a string of policies including the deportation of over 200 suspected gang members to El Salvador and plans to share taxpayer information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with immigration authorities.
SSNs are a critical identifier in the U.S., used to track earnings, determine eligibility for welfare, and verify legal status. While hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants have Social Security Numbers—many having arrived during the Biden administration under temporary protection measures—this new policy could mark a dramatic shift in how the system is used against them.
According to The New York Times, the initial group of 6,300 immigrants targeted includes individuals labeled as “convicted criminals and suspected terrorists,” although officials warn the measure could soon apply to a broader group of undocumented migrants.
Critics argue that this policy amounts to "weaponising" federal systems against vulnerable populations. The resignation of Acting Social Security Commissioner Michelle King over the weekend is reportedly linked to her refusal to grant DOGE access to sensitive recipient data, further deepening the controversy.
Immigration advocates have condemned the move as unethical and potentially unlawful, warning that it could destabilize the lives of thousands and undermine public trust in federal institutions.
