The Trump administration has reportedly added more than 6,000 immigrants to a federal database of deceased Social Security System recipients, cutting off their benefits and limiting their ability to work, according to U.S. media reports on Thursday.
The Washington Post, citing a White House official, reported that this move is part of an effort to pressure undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the country. This approach is in line with other hardline immigration policies implemented since the beginning of Donald Trump’s second term, including the transfer of over 200 suspected gang members to a high-security prison in El Salvador.
Social Security Numbers
In the United States, Social Security Numbers (SSNs) are essential for tracking income, accessing welfare benefits, and verifying identity for employment and housing. Despite their undocumented status, many immigrants—particularly those who arrived under Biden-era policies allowing temporary entry to ease border pressure—possess valid SSNs.
According to the White House official, individuals flagged as deceased in the Social Security system are effectively locked out of basic services, including employment, housing, banking, and government aid, making it nearly impossible for them to sustain a living.
Media outlets also noted that the initiative to use the so-called “death file” was led by staff within Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The New York Times reported that the first group of 6,300 affected individuals were classified as “convicted criminals and suspected terrorists,” based on internal administration documents. However, both the Times and the Post indicated that this policy could be expanded to target a broader group of undocumented immigrants.
This controversial use of the Social Security system follows another recent move by the administration to share taxpayer data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with immigration authorities. For years, millions of undocumented immigrants have contributed taxes, hoping it would support their cases for legal status and help fund large-scale programs like Social Security.
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