US Declares 6,000 Living Immigrants Dead; Massive Outrage Around Social Security Number; Check What Is It

In an aggressive step in line with its deportation policy, the Trump administration has declared over 6,000 living immigrants dead, leaving them with no option but to self-deport, NDTV reported. The move aimed at encouraging immigrants to voluntarily leave the country includes the cancellation of their social security numbers and rendering them unable to work or access benefits.  

What Is Social Security Number

The targeted immigrants had lawfully obtained Social Security numbers, which are unique nine-digit numbers issued by the federal government to US citizens, permanent residents, and temporary working residents. They were allowed to enter and remain in the US temporarily under programs introduced by former President Joe Biden.

By stripping immigrants of their Social Security numbers, the Trump administration has cut them off from many financial services. Now, these immigrants will face challenges in using their accounts and other basic services. Social security numbers are used for various official purposes, including tracking earnings. 

Over 900,000 immigrants entered the US using the CBP One app in the Biden era, allowing them to remain in the US for two years with work authorisation under presidential parole authority. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), on Monday, revoked the legal status of immigrants who used the CBP One app. 

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A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration's plan to end temporary legal protections for hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, allowing them to stay in the US. 

As per a report by Associated Press, the President and CEO of Democracy Forward, an advocacy group that has challenged various Trump administration efforts in court, Skye Perryman said, "This president continues to engage in lawless behavior, violating the law and abusing our systems of checks and balances." The group is likely to sue over the social security number cancellation. 

The Trump administration’s move has also faced challenges on the legal front. A federal judge has blocked a team affiliated with Elon Musk from accessing the sensitive Social Security system, containing personal data on millions of Americans, calling their work a "fishing expedition."