Trump moves to revoke Social Security numbers for illegal immigrants by adding them to 'death list': report

The Trump administration is reportedly seeking to revoke the Social Security numbers of illegal immigrants in the country without a legal status by adding them to the "death master list," which makes their numbers inoperable. This comes as a move to urge those in the country illegally to self-deport.

Reuters reported that an administration official spoke to the outlet under the condition of anonymity and said those who entered the US under the Biden administration and were legally admitted but have since had their temporary status revoked would be added to the list. The list is typically used to identify those who have died and should no longer receive Social Security benefits.

According to the New York Times, which viewed documents related to the matter, the names of over 6,300 migrants who no longer have a legal status in the country were added to the list earlier this week.

The batch of names was limited to those the administration has said are convicted criminals or "suspected terrorists," but officials said the effort could later include others who are in the country illegally.

The Social Security Administration’s acting administrator, Leland Dudek, said in an email to staff members that the "financial lives" of those added to the list would be "terminated."

White House spokeswoman Elizabeth Huston said that the changes at Social Security would assist in Trump’s goal to curb illegal immigration. "President Trump promised mass deportations, and by removing the monetary incentive for illegal aliens to come and stay, we will encourage them to self-deport. He is delivering on his promise he made to the American people."

This comes as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reached a data-sharing agreement that would see taxpayer data provided to immigration officials to aid in locating illegal immigrants.