Fact check: Can undocumented immigrants receive Social Security benefits under Biden's policy?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, undocumented immigrants cannot receive Social Security benefits under current law, including under Biden's policies. Multiple sources confirm that undocumented immigrants are not eligible for Social Security benefits if they are not lawfully in the United States ^[1]. The eligibility requirements for noncitizens to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits require being in a "qualified alien category" and meeting specific conditions, which undocumented immigrants do not meet ^[2].

A key paradox emerges from the analyses: undocumented immigrants contribute significantly to Social Security through payroll taxes but are not eligible to receive benefits ^{[1] [3]}. This creates a situation where undocumented workers pay into a system they cannot access, effectively subsidizing benefits for eligible recipients.

The Trump administration specifically targeted this issue by signing a Presidential Memorandum to prevent illegal aliens from obtaining Social Security Act benefits ^[4], though the analyses note that Biden oversaw an increase in immigrants receiving Social Security Numbers ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several crucial pieces of context:

• The distinction between Social Security Numbers and Social Security benefits - receiving a Social Security Number does not automatically grant eligibility for benefits ^[4]
• The financial contribution aspect - undocumented immigrants actually contribute more to Social Security than they receive in benefits, creating a net positive impact on the system's finances ^[1]
• Different types of benefits - the analyses distinguish between Social Security retirement/disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which have different eligibility requirements ^[2]

Alternative viewpoints that benefit different groups:

• Immigration restrictionists and politicians like Trump benefit from emphasizing that undocumented immigrants should not receive benefits, using this as a rallying point for stricter immigration policies ^[4]
• Social Security administrators and fiscal conservatives might benefit from highlighting that undocumented workers contribute to system solvency without drawing benefits
• Pro-immigration advocates could benefit from emphasizing the unfairness of taxation without representation in benefit eligibility

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains an implicit assumption that may be misleading - it presupposes that Biden's policy allows undocumented immigrants to receive Social Security benefits, when the evidence suggests this is not the case.

The question appears to reflect political framing that suggests Biden has changed fundamental eligibility rules for Social Security benefits. However, one analysis mentions that recent legislation aims to "end taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal immigrants," implying that such benefits may have been available under Biden's policies ^[5], though this conflicts with other sources stating undocumented immigrants are not eligible.

The framing benefits:

• Political opponents of Biden who want to suggest he is providing federal benefits to undocumented immigrants
• Those seeking to create controversy around immigration policy without acknowledging the complex reality that undocumented workers contribute to Social Security without receiving benefits

The question lacks acknowledgment of the longstanding legal framework that has consistently prohibited undocumented immigrants from receiving Social Security benefits, regardless of which administration is in power.