Washington, D.C., April 12, 2025 – The Trump administration has launched a controversial new tactic to pressure undocumented immigrants to “self-deport” by canceling their Social Security numbers (SSNs). On Varney & Co. this week, Border Czar Tom Homan defended the move, stating, “It’s absolutely legal because they were released into the United States illegally” under what he called an “unlawfully used” parole program. Homan emphasized that the administration aims to ensure these individuals are removed from the country.
The policy, which began this week, involves the Social Security Administration (SSA) adding over 6,000 mostly Latino immigrants to its “death master file,” a database typically used to track deceased individuals. This effectively renders their SSNs inoperable, cutting off access to work, benefits like Medicaid, and financial services such as bank accounts and credit cards, according to a White House official. The initial group targeted includes immigrants with criminal records or alleged terrorism ties, but the plan will expand to others, potentially affecting 92,000 more with criminal convictions and beyond.
White House spokesperson Elizabeth Huston framed the move as fulfilling President Trump’s promise of mass deportations by removing the “monetary incentive” for undocumented immigrants to stay. However, the legality of revoking SSNs is under debate. While Homan claims the parole program was misused, legal experts argue that once issued, SSNs cannot be canceled without due process, especially for those legally present under existing parole grants. Immigrant rights groups have called the policy “cruel,” noting that many affected migrants are legally in the U.S. and rely on SSNs to support their families.
The tactic marks an escalation in Trump’s immigration crackdown, following recent agreements with the IRS to access undocumented immigrants’ tax data. Critics warn that the policy could backfire economically. Undocumented immigrants contribute an estimated $25 billion annually to Social Security—funds they cannot claim—supporting benefits for American citizens. Canceling SSNs could exacerbate labor shortages in sectors like agriculture and construction, potentially costing Social Security $20 billion yearly if mass deportations proceed, per SSA actuaries.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from advocacy groups. “This is a bureaucratic attack on immigrants’ ability to survive,” said Roxana Avila-Cimpeanu of the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project. Meanwhile, posts on X reflect public division, with some praising the policy as a step toward “fairness for hardworking Americans,” while others decry it as a violation of due process.
As the administration pushes forward with its “first 100 days” immigration agenda, the policy’s implementation faces likely legal challenges. For now, it underscores the deepening divide over immigration in the U.S., with far-reaching implications for both migrants and the economy.
