Trump Admin Marks Immigrants as Dead, Cuts Benefits \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Trump administration has classified over 6,000 living immigrants as deceased, effectively cutting off their access to work and benefits. The move is part of a broader crackdown targeting those granted temporary legal status under Biden-era immigration programs. Legal and privacy concerns are mounting as critics warn of systemic abuse.
Quick Looks
- Over 6,000 immigrants have been reclassified as “deceased” by federal authorities.
- Their Social Security numbers have been canceled, cutting off access to services.
- Move aims to force “self-deportation” by eliminating work and benefit eligibility.
- Targets immigrants granted temporary stay under Biden-era programs like CBP One.
- DHS recently revoked the legal status of CBP One app users.
- A federal judge blocked expulsions for certain nationalities with protected status.
- Critics warn the move violates civil rights and federal privacy protections.
- IRS and ICE now have a new data-sharing deal to track undocumented immigrants.
- IRS Commissioner Melanie Krause resigned following the controversial agreement.
- Advocacy groups are preparing legal challenges against the Trump administration.
Deep Look
In a highly controversial move, the Trump administration has reclassified over 6,000 legally present immigrants as “deceased”, stripping them of their Social Security numbers and cutting off their access to financial, medical, and employment systems in the United States.
According to two individuals familiar with the plan, the action aims to pressure these individuals into leaving the U.S. voluntarily — a tactic officials have internally described as a form of “self-deportation.”
While the administration has not publicly announced the plan, internal government activity shows that immigrant identities — including names and legally issued Social Security numbers — have been moved into the federal death registry, a database historically reserved for tracking deceased Americans and residents.
A Drastic Step With Devastating Consequences
For the affected individuals, the implications are severe. Without a valid Social Security number, people are unable to:
- Legally work
- Open or access bank accounts
- Rent apartments or obtain credit
- Receive tax refunds
- Enroll in most public benefit programs
By classifying these immigrants as “deceased,” the Trump administration has essentially erased their legal presence from government systems — despite their being alive, working, and in some cases, raising families in the U.S.
A Social Security Administration spokesperson did not respond to inquiries from the Associated Press regarding the plan or its legal basis.
Targeting Biden-Era Programs and Parolees
The individuals affected are believed to include immigrants who entered the country legally through temporary programs authorized during President Joe Biden’s administration. Notably, this includes people who entered using the CBP One mobile app, a system that allowed migrants to apply for entry and stay in the U.S. under parole authority, which granted up to two years of protection and work eligibility.
Earlier this week, the Department of Homeland Security revoked the legal status of all CBP One parolees, rendering them subject to removal.
This effort is part of a wider administrative rollback targeting immigration programs from the previous administration. More than 900,000 people had entered under CBP One alone — and now face either legal limbo or forced return.
Legal Pushback and Privacy Alarms
Civil liberties advocates say the administration’s actions may violate federal privacy laws, particularly the Privacy Act, which governs how personal information can be shared or altered by federal agencies. The SSA’s “Death Master File” — where these identities are now listed — contains data on over 142 million deceased individuals dating back to 1899.
“This President continues to engage in lawless behavior, violating the law and abusing our systems of checks and balances,” said Skye Perryman, president of Democracy Forward, which has challenged several Trump-era policies in court. She added that her group is preparing to file suit over the move.
In a separate but related move, a federal judge recently blocked a Trump-linked task force, allegedly backed by billionaire Elon Musk, from accessing Social Security data, calling the group’s request a “fishing expedition” that posed risks to civil liberties.
IRS and ICE Now Share Immigrant Data
Amid the policy shifts, another major development occurred this week: a new agreement between DHS and the Treasury Department will allow the IRS to share immigrants’ tax records with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The deal allows ICE to submit names and addresses of suspected undocumented immigrants to the IRS, enabling cross-verification with tax filings — a powerful new tool for immigration enforcement.
The announcement triggered the resignation of acting IRS Commissioner Melanie Krause, who had served since February and was reportedly alarmed by the policy’s potential legal implications.
Federal Judge Blocks Mass Deportation — For Now
As backlash builds, a federal judge issued a temporary injunction on Thursday, blocking the administration from deporting hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans who were granted temporary legal status under earlier humanitarian programs.
While the court order buys time, it’s unclear whether other groups — including those reclassified as deceased — will receive the same protection.
Conclusion: A New Front in the Immigration Crackdown
The Trump administration’s unprecedented decision to treat living immigrants as legally dead could reshape the enforcement landscape, with far-reaching implications for the rights of immigrants, the integrity of federal records, and the limits of executive power.
The administration appears to be testing the boundaries of law — and resistance is forming quickly from civil rights groups, privacy watchdogs, and immigration advocates who say this sets a dangerous precedent for weaponizing bureaucracy.
With lawsuits likely imminent, and key government officials resigning in protest, the conflict over immigration policy and human rights is once again front and center — and this time, it’s buried inside federal death records.
Trump Admin Marks Trump Admin Marks
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