The U.S. government has taken another drastic step in its immigration policy: Social Security payments have been officially prohibited for migrants in irregular status and other ineligible recipients.
The new presidential memorandum, driven by Donald Trump and titled Preventing Illegal Aliens from Receiving Social Security Act Benefits, demands that all federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (SSA), to strengthen identity verification and restrict benefits to those who do not comply with federal law.
The change affects millions of people and has been presented as a firm attempt to eradicate fraud, waste, and abuse in these programs.
A document with the White House seal
The decree, signed by President Trump, requires the SSA and other agencies to closely examine each benefit applicant. The goal is clear: only those who prove they are legally in the country will have the right to access federal assistance. Any other profile will be excluded from the system.
The policy has been presented as a way to protect taxpayers and prevent fraudulent applications. In this regard, legal citizens and residents should not be affected, unless they cannot adequately verify their status.
Who does this measure affect?
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From now on, migrants in irregular status (i.e., undocumented) will have no access to retirement benefits, Disability Insurance (DI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare and Medicaid, unemployment insurance, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
- Anyone who cannot prove their legal status will be automatically excluded.
- According to the White House, this will ensure that benefits are sent only to legal (and eligible) recipients.
Fighting fraud as justification
The plan includes expanding the program of prosecutors specialized in fraud to more than 50 offices across the country. These units will work directly with the Department of Justice to pursue the misuse of Social Security numbers.
One of the most curious investigations focuses on people registered as being over 100 years old who, according to the data, continue to receive payments, despite not being alive. It may sound crazy, but it’s something revealed by the DOGE.
Other three proposed plans include excluding those who do not verify their eligibility and establishing a program to pursue Medicare and Medicaid fraud.
What the White House says
The White House insists that this measure is not aimed at anyone in particular, but rather seeks to prevent the unfair use of public money. According to their estimates: More than 2 million undocumented migrants received Social Security numbers in 2024, and around 20 million access public assistance each year, which costs the state over 180 billion dollars.
However, one suspicion is that the White House wants to use these measures to deter the “pull effect” created by Social Security payments in the U.S., that is, Social Security money will be allocated only for those taxpayers and not used to encourage illegal immigration.
What should beneficiaries do now?
The SSA is recommending that all citizens and legal residents verify their personal data and immigration status as soon as possible. It is essential not to make mistakes or leave documents incomplete, as this could lead to suspension or cancellation of payments.
This measure marks a new phase in U.S. immigration policy and makes it clear that social programs will now be much more closely monitored.
While many see this as a sign of fiscal justice, others criticize the exclusionary nature of the measure, which could leave thousands of families in an even more vulnerable situation than they are already in. Our personal opinions don’t matter in this case, the White House and Trump have signed it, and that’s how it will be carried out. What’s important now is that migrants at risk work on resolving their immigration status as soon as possible in order to receive those benefits legally.
