In a deeply controversial move, the Trump administration has allegedly classified over 6,000 living immigrants as deceased, stripping them of their Social Security numbers in a bid to pressure them into leaving the United States voluntarily, according to sources familiar with the plan.
The unprecedented maneuver, which has not yet been officially confirmed by federal agencies, involves transferring immigrants’ names and legally assigned Social Security numbers into a federal database typically used to record deaths. This action would make it virtually impossible for those affected to access basic financial services, secure employment, or receive government benefits—functions that all rely heavily on valid Social Security identification.
The aim, according to two sources who spoke under condition of anonymity, is to compel affected immigrants to “self-deport” by cutting them off from essential services and economic participation, effectively making life in the U.S. untenable. The administration is reportedly targeting immigrants who arrived under Biden-era immigration initiatives, particularly through the CBP One app, which was used by over 900,000 individuals to gain temporary entry and work authorization in the country.
Earlier this week, the Department of Homeland Security moved to revoke the legal status of individuals who entered the U.S. using that system. These immigrants had previously been granted two-year stays under the presidential parole authority. Now, they are being told they are expected to leave the country, despite having entered legally and having valid Social Security documentation at the time of arrival.
As of Friday morning, the Social Security Administration had not commented on the allegations. The agency maintains the Death Master File, a database with more than 142 million death records dating back to 1899. Legal experts warn that manipulating this system could pose serious ethical, legal, and privacy concerns.
Civil liberties groups and legal advocates are already sounding the alarm. Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, called the reported actions a gross abuse of power. “This President continues to engage in lawless behaviour, violating the law and abusing our systems of checks and balances,” she said, adding that her organization is preparing legal action as more information becomes available.
Meanwhile, pushback is also unfolding in the courts. A federal judge issued an injunction this week blocking a Trump administration order that would have forced hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans with temporary legal status to leave the country later this month.
Simultaneously, scrutiny is growing over a newly signed agreement between the Department of Homeland Security and the Treasury Department, which allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to access immigrants’ tax data from the IRS for deportation enforcement purposes. The controversial deal already has consequences: Acting IRS Commissioner Melanie Krause stepped down following its announcement.
Earlier in March, a federal judge halted an unrelated effort by a team linked to billionaire Elon Musk, which was accused of attempting to access sensitive data within federal employment and benefits systems, including Social Security. The judge labeled the move a “fishing expedition.”
As the administration pushes forward with its aggressive immigration crackdown, questions are mounting about legality, transparency, and the potential fallout from bureaucratic measures that critics call both inhumane and unconstitutional.