How many illegal aliens did the Biden Administration give social security numbers to?

Checked on July 5, 2025
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1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, there are conflicting claims and limited concrete evidence regarding the specific number of Social Security Numbers issued to undocumented immigrants during the Biden administration.

The most specific figure comes from sources citing that nearly 2.1 million migrants were given Social Security numbers in fiscal year 2024 alone through a Social Security program called "Enumeration Beyond Entry" [1]. Multiple sources reference claims that over 2 million illegal aliens were assigned SSNs in fiscal year 2024 [2], with some attributing this information to Elon Musk's characterization of this as part of a 'massive large-scale program' by the Biden administration [1].

However, the analyses reveal important distinctions in eligibility. One source clarifies that only noncitizens authorized to work in the US by the Department of Homeland Security can obtain an SSN [3], and that undocumented immigrants are not eligible to receive Social Security benefits without a valid Social Security number [3]. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of immigrants with 'temporary parole' status received Social Security numbers to work [4], suggesting some of these numbers may have been issued to individuals with legal temporary status rather than those without any legal authorization.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several crucial pieces of context that emerge from the analyses:

  • Legal distinction between different immigrant categories: The analyses reveal that some SSNs were issued to immigrants with "temporary parole" status [4], which represents a different legal category than completely undocumented individuals.
  • Economic contributions perspective: One analysis notes that undocumented immigrants contribute more to Social Security than they receive in benefits [5], presenting a viewpoint that emphasizes the fiscal benefits rather than costs of immigrant participation in the Social Security system.
  • Program mechanics: The specific mention of the "Enumeration Beyond Entry" program [1] provides technical context about how these numbers are actually issued, which is absent from the original question.

Political figures who benefit from different narratives include:

  • Elon Musk and Trump administration officials benefit from framing this as evidence of Biden administration overreach [1] [2]
  • Biden administration supporters would benefit from emphasizing the legal pathways and economic contributions aspects

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains several potentially problematic framings:

  • Loaded terminology: The use of "illegal aliens" rather than more neutral terms like "undocumented immigrants" or "migrants" suggests a particular political perspective, especially when the analyses show some recipients had legal temporary status [4].
  • Oversimplification of legal categories: The question assumes all SSN recipients were "illegal," but the analyses indicate that hundreds of thousands had temporary parole status [4], making them legally authorized to work and receive SSNs.
  • Lack of verification: Multiple analyses note that the 2+ million figure does not provide direct evidence [2], suggesting the claims may be politically motivated rather than based on verified government data.
  • Missing policy context: The question ignores that current law requires DHS authorization for SSN eligibility [3], implying the administration may be operating outside legal frameworks when the evidence suggests otherwise.
Want to dive deeper?
What is the process for undocumented immigrants to obtain social security numbers under the Biden Administration?
How many social security numbers were issued to undocumented immigrants in 2024?
What are the requirements for undocumented immigrants to be eligible for social security numbers?
How does the Biden Administration's social security policy for undocumented immigrants compare to previous administrations?
What are the potential consequences for undocumented immigrants who receive social security numbers?