The Trump administration has employed Social Security Administration (SSA) data to ramp up deportation efforts.
Quick Takes
- The SSA is actively participating in deportation efforts under Trump’s immigration agenda.
- Individuals with temporary parole status are scrutinized, with many having potential criminal flags.
- Information of flagged individuals is transferred to an ineligible file for deportation consideration.
- There are internal resignations due to disagreement with the data-sharing and collaboration measures.
SSA’s Role in Immigration Enforcement
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has been enlisted in a comprehensive government plan to aid President Trump’s immigration enforcement. This approach relies on SSA data to identify individuals on the FBI’s terrorist watch list. The administration’s extensive use of federal resources aims to meet the rigorous enforcement of immigration laws.
SSA scrutinized immigrants with temporary parole status, a designation given during the Biden administration. These individuals, who possess social security numbers for employment, are under examination. Officials claim that more than 6,300 immigrants fall under FBI scrutiny due to criminal records or terrorist affiliations.
Data Processing and Internal Concerns
The SSA’s processing involves moving names from the FBI watchlist to the “Death Master File” and subsequently to the “Ineligible Master File”. This sensitive operation is critical for identifying unauthorized individuals. However, concerns arose within the SSA, with reports indicating no criminal evidence found among the youngest subset of individuals checked.
“This is the Trump administration using every tool it has in its toolbox to crack down on illegal immigration,” said Tom Jones, the executive director of the American Accountability Foundation.
Some SSA employees have raised concerns about the ethical implications and potential privacy violations. These unresolved issues have led to resignations, highlighting growing discontent among federal agencies participating in this effort.
Broader Implications of Administration’s Strategy
Beyond SSA, the Trump administration has reportedly employed other branches, including military resources and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to enhance its deportation strategies. Following these collaborations, IRS Acting Commissioner Melanie Krause resigned, expressing resistance to the administration’s involvement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“The fact that IRS leadership resigned over cooperating with ICE shows exactly why there needs to be a concerted effort to ensure that the federal workforce is composed of leaders who are willing to implement the president’s agenda,” continued Jones.
Citing the pressing need for aligned federal staff, Jones advocates for systemic shifts within these agencies. He anticipates continued use of entities like OSHA to monitor and regulate undocumented workers and their employers, presenting an ongoing evolution of these immigration policies.
