Think Immigration: The Social Security Paradox

There are two concepts American citizens generally agree upon: your Social Security number is issued at birth and upon retirement you can collect your social security benefits. Outside of these two simple concepts the world of Social Security is highly nuanced. The Social Security Administration has a detailed fact page on the program’s creation, legal history, and expansion. Shocker – it is a heavy read.

In recent weeks, the Trump Administration has brought Social Security into the spotlight. The memorandum “Preventing Illegal Aliens from Obtaining Social Security Act Benefits” is another paradox. Either the Social Security Administration is inept and cannot distinguish eligible benefit recipients or the tools provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to screen applicants are deficient.

The answer is neither.

1. Does the Social Security Administration only issue Social Security numbers to U.S. born citizens?

No. The Social Security Administration’s application page has clear language: “All U.S. citizens can request a Social Security number. Some noncitizens may be able to request a number if they work or attend school, or if they have a valid nonwork reason.” To apply for a Social Security number an immigrant must have specific documents to verify their identity, legal status, and/or ability to work. The Social Security Administration uses a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web service called SAVE to cross check an applicant’s immigration status. The documents required to obtain a Social Security number can be quite robust for a non-citizen. The Social Security Administration vigorously safeguards the issuance of a Social Security number. The process can easily be protracted to check for fraud or identity theft.

2. Do undocumented immigrants easily obtain Social Security benefits?

No. The process to apply for Social Security benefits is exhaustive and can be time consuming. Nothing is issued automatically.

3. Does a Social Security Number allow an immigrant to work legally?

No. A Social Security card issued to certain non-immigrants has explicit language on the front of the card regarding work authorization. The immigrant needs to have a work visa, be in a visa status that permits employment, or are legally in the country with permission to work. Possession of a Social Security number does not equate to employment. In fact, when an employer completes their new hire paperwork, the I-9, there is guidance on what to do if a Social Security card has an annotation. Once an immigrant becomes a green card holder the language may be removed. See sample:

4. Are U.S. Citizens only funding Social Security?

No. Immigrants are increasingly funding this vital program. A recent study notes, “Social Security’s actuaries estimate the impact of immigration over 25, 50, and 75 years, showing in all time periods that as immigration increases, the trust fund deficit decreases.” It is not just legal immigrants funding this program. In 2022, undocumented immigrants contributed $25 billion to Social Security, but will never be eligible for the benefits of the program.

There is so much harmful rhetoric being thrown around about immigrants. This administration has tried to expand the definition of criminality itself to make it seem like they are keeping promises, but there are two key ideas I hope you take with you: (1) our Social Security system as it stands right now requires immigration to stay solvent and (2) our immigration system requires modernization not fear-based tactics rooted in xenophobia.