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Fact check: Are illegal immigrans getting social security numbers
Executive Summary
Undocumented immigrants generally cannot obtain Social Security numbers (SSNs); only noncitizens with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) work authorization are eligible for SSNs, although limited exceptions and cases of identity theft complicate the picture. Recent government operations and policy clarifications show two distinct realities: lawful noncitizens with work authorization can receive SSNs, while those without authorization cannot—yet some undocumented individuals obtain or use SSNs fraudulently or rely on alternative taxpayer IDs [1] [2] [3] [4].
1. What advocates and official reports say about eligibility — clear rules, few exceptions
Congressional and Social Security policy materials make a straightforward rule: SSNs are issued to people authorized to work in the U.S., including certain noncitizens, and are withheld from those who lack DHS work authorization except for narrowly defined nonwork reasons. The Congressional Research Service outlines eligibility tied to employment authorization, emphasizing that not all noncitizens meet that threshold, and the Social Security Administration’s policy manual reiterates that the SSA will not assign an SSN to a noncitizen illegally residing in the U.S. or without DHS work authorization unless there is a valid nonwork reason [1] [3]. These are the controlling administrative standards governing lawful issuance.
2. On-the-ground reality: fraud, identity theft, and enforcement reveal a different layer
Enforcement actions and investigative work reveal a different practical layer: some undocumented people obtain or use SSNs through stolen identities or employer fraud, not through lawful issuance. A June 2025 ICE worksite enforcement operation uncovered about 70 instances where illegal aliens used stolen Social Security numbers to get jobs, demonstrating that prohibition does not eliminate illegal access or misuse of SSNs [4]. This kind of activity produces the public perception that undocumented immigrants “have” SSNs, but these cases reflect criminal identity theft and false documents, not lawful SSA assignment.
3. Alternative tax pathways: ITINs and tax reporting rules change incentives
Undocumented immigrants who cannot get SSNs frequently use the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to file taxes and comply with reporting requirements; federal law does not bar filing taxes for people without SSNs, and the IRS requires taxpayer ID numbers on returns and information returns. The IRS and other sources note there is no federal law prohibiting hiring someone without an SSN, but employers must report taxpayer identification on wage forms, prompting use of ITINs or improper use of SSNs in some cases [5] [6]. This creates mixed incentives: the tax system encourages documentation for tax compliance while immigration rules restrict lawful SSN issuance.
4. Policy consistency across recent sources — dates and reaffirmations matter
Multiple sources across 2017–2025 consistently reaffirm the central rule that only those with DHS work authorization should receive SSNs, and policy updates as of 2023 remained in effect through 2025. The Social Security POMS guidance from February 2023 explicitly states the SSA will not assign SSNs to noncitizens illegally residing or lacking DHS work authorization except for valid nonwork reasons, and recent 2025 explainers reiterate the same standard [3] [7] [2]. The consistency of these dates shows administrative policy has been stable: eligibility hinges on work authorization, and the legal framework has not meaningfully relaxed.
5. Balancing enforcement data and administrative policy — what the public debate omits
Public debate often conflates the existence of SSNs used by undocumented people with legitimate SSA authorization. Administrative policy and legal eligibility are distinct from illicit access, but media coverage of enforcement actions amplifies fears that undocumented immigrants broadly “get” SSNs lawfully. Sources highlight both sides: policy texts emphasize denial without DHS work authorization while enforcement operations document identity-theft cases [1] [4]. Understanding this distinction matters for policy choices: reforms could focus on tightening identity-verification processes and employer verification while preserving lawful access for authorized noncitizens.
6. Bottom line for claim verification and what still needs attention
The claim that undocumented immigrants are broadly obtaining SSNs lawfully is not supported by policy or SSA rules; lawful issuance requires DHS work authorization and exceptions are narrow. However, enforcement cases show fraudulent acquisition and use of SSNs do occur, creating a practical mismatch between policy intent and reality that policymakers, employers, and the SSA must address [3] [4] [2]. Future clarity should come from updated SSA and DHS enforcement data and from tracking employer verification improvements; until then, the accurate summary is: lawful SSN issuance follows work authorization, but illegal access through fraud remains a documented problem.