Pressuring Migrants to ‘Self-Deport,’ White House Moves to Cancel Social Security Numbers

The Trump administration has aggressively revoked the temporary legal status of hundreds of thousands of immigrants allowed into the country under President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Now, they are pressuring these immigrants to “self-deport” by canceling their Social Security numbers, cutting off access to financial services and government benefits.

Using Social Security’s “death master file” to label living individuals as dead, the administration aims to restrict their financial activity, ultimately enforcing a crackdown on immigration.

Initially targeting convicted criminals and suspected terrorists, the administration plans to expand its efforts to include unauthorized individuals in the country. This move, driven by the Trump administration and Elon Musk, marks a significant shift in leveraging personal data to advance immigration policies.

By repurposing Social Security data, the administration is using the agency to enforce immigration measures, affecting not only immigrants but also American citizens. The strategy has raised concerns about potential errors and privacy violations.

The new enforcement approach by Social Security has sparked fears of inaccuracies leading to financial hardships for individuals, including U.S. citizens. Critics argue that the agency’s role in immigration enforcement goes beyond its intended purpose.

The sharing of Social Security data for law enforcement purposes has sparked controversy, with concerns about privacy violations and misuse of personal information. The involvement of various agencies in accessing and utilizing this data raises questions about transparency and accountability.

Despite challenges and ethical concerns, the Trump administration continues to push for the integration of data systems to streamline immigration enforcement efforts.