Trump Administration Classifies Thousands of Immigrants as Deceased, Stripping Them of Social Security Numbers
The Trump administration has classified over 6,300 living immigrants as deceased, aiming to curtail their access to financial services and drive them to self-deport.
The move will make it much harder for affected immigrants to use banks or other basic services where Social Security numbers are required.
What we know about the Social Security Administration listing thousands of living immigrants as dead
Associated Press·7d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Making it harder for immigrants to work — as canceling their Social Security numbers does — potentially worsens the worker shortage already associated with Trump’s anti-immigrant policies.
Trump’s Social Security team has reportedly marked more than 6,000 immigrants as dead
MSNBC·7d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.
The move will effectively financially starve the immigrants, cutting off their ability to legally work in the country, receive various government benefits and access financial services like credit and bank accounts.
Trump administration lists thousands of immigrants as dead in new policy | Politics
CNN·7d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
Summary
In a controversial move, the Trump administration has designated over 6,300 living immigrants as deceased in Social Security records. This decision affects individuals who are legally in the U.S. but were identified as having criminal backgrounds or being on watchlists. Advocates are denouncing this act as a form of 'digital murder' that severely limits access to essential services like banking and employment. Critics worry this action sets a dangerous precedent for targeting individuals without due process, raising concerns about privacy rights and the potential for further bureaucratic overreach.
Perspectives
The Trump administration's decision to classify over 6,000 immigrants as deceased by adding them to the Social Security Administration's Death Master File is viewed as a severe escalation of anti-immigrant policies, targeting those who were legally allowed to live in the U.S.
This new policy will hinder the affected immigrants' ability to secure employment, access financial services, and utilize government benefits, effectively rendering them unable to participate fully in society.
Experts raise concerns that this move sets a dangerous precedent, suggesting that if the government can reclassify living individuals as dead, it opens the door for potential abuses against various demographics.