Jodi Diodati Administrative Officer | DeKalb County Republican Party
Jodi Diodati Administrative Officer | DeKalb County Republican Party
Despite moves to remove migrants from the Social Security system, a report reveals that Greg Pearre, a manager overseeing technology experts, resisted adding migrant names to the "death master file," typically reserved for deceased Social Security recipients. Consequently, security escorted Pearre from his office at the Social Security Administration headquarters in Woodlawn, Maryland.
The action of blocking migrants' access to Social Security numbers is drawing criticism. Devin O’Connor, a senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, called it "an unprecedented step," highlighting the grave risks of equating living people to the deceased.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the measure, arguing it prevents illegal immigrants from accessing economic entitlements, thus protecting American citizens' benefits. She stated, “Anyone who disagrees with the common sense policies of this Administration can find a new job.”
The policy affects about 1.4 million individuals who entered via programs terminated by the Trump administration, including the CNVH program and the CBP One app, previously providing entry and work permits. The first batch of affected migrants included approximately 6,100 individuals from these programs, as reported by The Washington Post and The New York Times, with 102 names added recently.
Leland Dudek, the Social Security Administration’s acting commissioner, informed staff that the "financial lives" of those on the list would be "terminated." Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem noted in a memo that this plan aims to restrict privileges to lawful residents, preventing suspected illegal terrorists from accessing such benefits.
A White House official indicated that nearly 1,000 affected migrants are receiving Medicaid benefits, 41 are on unemployment, and 22 have student loans, underscoring their lack of rightful status in the country.
Elizabeth Huston, a White House representative, stated that these actions align with President Donald Trump's immigration objectives, which include encouraging self-deportation by eliminating financial incentives for illegal stay. "He is delivering on his promise he made to the American people,” she stated.
The development has sparked debate on its implications and the legality of such measures.
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