Analysis of the Social Security Number Surge for Noncitizens
The recent surge in Social Security numbers (SSNs) issued to noncitizens has sparked intense debate regarding immigration policy and government accountability. In fiscal year 2024, over 2.1 million SSNs were assigned to noncitizens, a dramatic increase compared to prior years—964,000 in 2023, 590,000 in 2022, and just 270,000 in 2021. This growth, totaling a 674% rise, has caught the public’s attention and led to claims of systemic issues concerning immigration and voter eligibility.
At the center of this discourse are tech mogul Elon Musk and his aide Antonio Gracias. They have turned these figures into a central talking point, asserting that the Biden administration may be facilitating a backdoor expansion of Social Security for illegal immigrants. Musk commented, “This literally blew us away,” emphasizing their surprise at discovering this phenomenon while researching fraud. Their claim that the government is purposefully engineering a massive influx of noncitizens into the voter rolls has raised eyebrows among lawmakers and citizens alike.
The program responsible for this increase, known as Enumeration Beyond Entry (EBE), began under the Trump administration in 2017. It was meant to streamline the application process for Social Security numbers for legal migrants with work authorization. After screening by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Social Security Administration (SSA) generates SSNs without requiring an in-person application. However, critics, including Musk, caution that this system may have spiraled beyond its intended purpose, labeling it a tool for political manipulation. Musk has asserted that there is an underlying intention to “import as many illegals as possible” through the program, revealing unease regarding its implications for the voting process.
Experts attempt to contextualize the issue, with figures like former SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley emphasizing that the rise in SSNs issued is a natural outcome of Biden-era immigration policies. O’Malley states that the increase aligns with “legal frameworks,” pointing to expanded Temporary Protected Status and a heightened rate of asylum processing. He maintains that the surge is attributable to legal migrants with work permits, framing it as a normal operation of a functioning system.
However, Musk’s perspective offers a more cautionary view, suggesting that the drastic rise in SSN issuance should raise alarms about data security and potential misuse. Gracias’ concern about the “totally uncontrolled” assignment of SSNs feeds a narrative that insists on a closer examination of how these numbers are allocated, particularly when high stakes are involved in voting eligibility.
Despite these alarm bells, no substantial evidence has emerged to support claims of widespread unlawful benefits acquisition or voter fraud among noncitizens with valid SSNs. Many federal agencies have found noncitizen voting to be exceedingly rare—a harsh conclusion for those predicting a dramatic impact on voting demographics. The integrity of the voting process remains a focal point of concern but is underpinned by legal restrictions preventing noncitizens from benefiting from Social Security without proper legal presence.
The political implications of these findings cannot be overlooked. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has gained unprecedented access to SSA records, igniting debates around privacy and legal boundaries. Some SSA employees describe this access as “unprecedented,” hinting at unease within the agency regarding the swift pace at which these records are being scrutinized. In addition, ongoing internal discussions at the SSA about pausing portions of the EBE pipeline indicate awareness of the political firestorm that may ensue from rapidly expanding SSN processing.
Financial consequences are also part of this equation. Legal migrants holding SSNs contribute to Social Security just like American citizens, with estimates from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy showing that undocumented immigrants contributed nearly $97 billion in 2022 through payroll taxes. Kathleen Romig, an analyst, argues that “Elon Musk got it backwards,” pointing toward the beneficial impact immigrants may have on the overall system rather than detracting from it.
While the Biden administration has yet to directly address Musk’s claims, a statement from White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller reflects a commitment to reevaluating programs with potential mischaracterizations. This suggests an acknowledgment of the concerns raised, even as proof of wrongdoing remains elusive.
Ultimately, the striking increase in SSNs assigned to noncitizens poses more questions than it answers. The trend—from 270,000 in 2021 to over 2 million today—is significant and reflects ongoing policy complexities in immigration. Lawmakers and voters now face a pivotal moment to discern whether these changes result from policy-driven growth in legal immigration or indicate flaws within oversight mechanisms. As Musk noted, the automation designed for efficiency has morphed into a potential political liability, keeping the spotlight on this issue as the next election cycle approaches.
"*" indicates required fields
