Social Security Administration records are being leveraged to identify immigrants potentially eligible for deportation under Trump’s new immigration crackdown, raising alarms about data sharing and civil liberties.
At a Glance
- The Social Security Administration is sharing data with ICE to target immigrants with temporary parole status for potential deportation
- Trump officials claim over 6,300 immigrants with Social Security numbers are on the FBI terrorist watch list or have criminal records
- Names from the terrorist watch list are being moved to SSA’s “Death Master File” and then to the “Ineligible Master File”
- IRS Acting Commissioner Melanie Krause resigned over her agency’s partnership with ICE, indicating internal government resistance
- Some SSA staff have expressed concerns about the data-sharing agreement, finding no evidence of crimes in some cases
SSA Joins Trump’s Whole-of-Government Immigration Enforcement
The Social Security Administration has become the latest federal agency to participate in President Trump’s immigration enforcement strategy. Records maintained by the SSA are now being used to identify and target immigrants who were granted temporary parole status during the Biden administration. These individuals were issued Social Security numbers for work purposes, but are now under scrutiny as the Trump administration implements its broader deportation plans.
According to reports from Fox News and other outlets, the SSA is specifically reviewing the status of immigrants who received temporary authorization to remain in the United States. Trump administration officials have stated that this review has identified over 6,300 individuals who allegedly appear on the FBI’s terrorist watch list or have criminal records, making them priorities for deportation under the new immigration enforcement policies.
Technical Process and Internal Resistance
The mechanics of the SSA’s involvement involve a complex data management process. The agency has reportedly moved names from the FBI terrorist watch list to its “Death Master File” and subsequently to an “Ineligible Master File.” This technical procedure allows the agency to flag individuals whose status may warrant further investigation or enforcement action by immigration authorities.
“This is the Trump administration using every tool it has in its toolbox to crack down on illegal immigration,” said Tom Jones.
However, not all SSA employees support this initiative. Reports indicate that some staff members have expressed concerns about the data-sharing agreement with immigration enforcement agencies. In particular, some employees claim they found no evidence of criminal activity among the youngest immigrants whose records were checked against criminal history databases, raising questions about the accuracy of the process and potential for misidentification.
Broader Government Mobilization
The SSA’s participation is part of a larger pattern of federal resource coordination under Trump’s immigration enforcement strategy. Beyond Social Security, the administration has mobilized other agencies including the Internal Revenue Service and reportedly plans to utilize military resources. This whole-of-government approach signals the administration’s determination to maximize deportation efforts through multiple channels.
“The fact that IRS leadership resigned over cooperating with ICE shows exactly why there needs to be a concerned effort to ensure that the federal workforce is composed of leaders who are willing to implement the president’s agenda,” added Jones.
These efforts have not come without internal resistance. Most notably, IRS Acting Commissioner Melanie Krause resigned from her position due to concerns over the agency’s partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Her departure highlights tensions within the federal bureaucracy as career officials grapple with the ethical and policy implications of the administration’s immigration priorities.
Future Enforcement Expansion
Advocates of the administration’s approach, like Tom Jones from the American Accountability Foundation, suggest that the coordination between SSA and immigration authorities is just the beginning. Jones anticipates that additional federal agencies will be enlisted in immigration enforcement efforts as the administration advances its agenda.
Specifically, Jones pointed to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which has inspectors regularly visiting workplaces, as a potential resource for identifying unauthorized workers and employers who hire them. This suggests a potential expansion of enforcement mechanisms beyond traditional immigration authorities, potentially affecting businesses and workplaces across the country.
