The Trump Administration has initiated a controversial strategy to fulfill its promise of accelerating mass deportations. According to an investigation originally published by The New York Times, the U.S. government has officially declared over 6,000 migrants with temporary legal status as deceased, thereby nullifying their Social Security numbers and cutting off their access to financial services, government benefits, and employment. This process, described by some officials as a form of "digital assassination," marks a significant escalation in the immigration policies enforced by the administration. The goal, as reported by CBS News, is straightforward: to encourage self-deportation.
The Process: A Financial Death
The method involves manipulating the Social Security Administration's (SSA) “master death file,” a database traditionally used to prevent improper payments to deceased individuals. According to CBS News, this database has been rebranded as the “master file of non-eligibles.” Under this new designation, the SSA is adding living migrants with fictitious death dates, thus invalidating their Social Security numbers. This classification is akin to a "financial death," as banks and government agencies rely on these records to verify individuals' identities and legal statuses.
Who Are the Targets?
The initial group impacted by this measure includes more than 6,000 immigrants who entered the country under the parole program implemented by former President Joe Biden via the CBP One app, as reported by The Washington Post. The Trump administration claimed these individuals had a "monetary incentive" to remain in the country. However, the selection process has not been entirely transparent, according to the Associated Press. Sources suggest that it involves individuals under temporary programs authorized during the Biden era, which allowed for two-year stays with work permits, but who now find their legal status revoked.
Immediate Consequences
The effects on those affected are devastating. Losing a Social Security number results in an inability to access bank accounts, medical services, formal employment, and federal benefits. The Associated Press warns that this is part of a broader initiative by President Donald Trump to crack down on immigrants admitted under Biden-era policies. Additionally, the Department of the Treasury and DHS signed another agreement allowing the IRS to share tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to verify and deport immigrants unlawfully residing in the U.S. This move led to the resignation of interim IRS Commissioner Melanie Krause.
Reactions and Criticisms
The measure has sparked a wave of criticism from both Congress and civil organizations. Democratic Senator Ron Wyden from the Senate Finance Committee stated that "the action raises the possibility of the Trump Administration stealing legally earned Social Security benefits from American citizens." For Wyden, this is evidence that “Trump’s promise to protect Social Security is a lie.” Martin O’Malley, former SSA commissioner during the Biden administration, was more blunt: “If without due process, Trump and Musk can illegally 'disappear' or 'digitally assassinate' anyone who has legally entered our country, then they can do so with anyone already legally here.” Meanwhile, Skye Perryman, CEO of Democracy Forward, announced that her organization is likely to sue over the implementation of this measure, which she describes as a violation of the rule of law. “This president continues to behave illegally, violating the law and abusing our system of checks and balances,” she told the Associated Press.
The classification of legal immigrants as deceased represents an unprecedented measure, both in its human and legal implications. Under the guise of combating illegal immigration, the Trump administration appears to be undermining basic rights without due process, in an offensive that could extend to other vulnerable groups. What began with 6,000 cases could set a high-risk precedent for legality and respect for the rule of law in the United States.
Key Questions About Trump's Immigration Policies
What led the Trump Administration to declare migrants as deceased?
The Trump Administration implemented this strategy to accelerate deportations by encouraging self-deportation. By declaring migrants as deceased, they nullified Social Security numbers, cutting access to essential services and benefits.
Who are the primary targets of this policy?
The initial targets are over 6,000 immigrants who entered the U.S. under a parole program during Biden's administration. These individuals had temporary legal status, which has now been revoked without full transparency.
What are the immediate effects on those declared deceased?
Being declared deceased results in the loss of Social Security numbers, making it impossible to access bank accounts, medical services, formal employment, and federal benefits.