Keep Factually independent
Whether you agree or disagree with our analysis, these conversations matter for democracy. We don't take money from political groups - even a $5 donation helps us keep it that way.
Fact check: How many social security numbers were issued to undocumented immigrants in 2024?
1. Summary of the results
Based on the analyses provided, more than 2 million Social Security Numbers were issued to undocumented immigrants in fiscal year 2024 [1] [2]. One source specifically reports that nearly 2.1 million migrants were given Social Security numbers in fiscal year 2024 [3]. Multiple government sources, including the Department of Homeland Security and White House fact sheets, confirm this figure of over 2 million SSNs issued to what they term "ineligible illegal aliens" during the previous administration [1] [2].
The current Trump administration has taken action to address this issue, with the Social Security Administration pausing automatic SSN issuance for many immigrant applicants as of March 19, 2025 [4], and implementing measures to prevent illegal aliens from obtaining Social Security Act benefits [5].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
The original question lacks crucial context about the legal framework governing SSN issuance to non-citizens. One analysis explains that laws on the books for decades explain why Social Security Numbers are assigned to non-U.S. citizens, noting that documented immigrants who are authorized to work in the U.S. register for numbers so that part of their paychecks can go toward Social Security disability and retirement programs [6].
There's an important distinction between different categories of immigrants that the original question doesn't address. Only noncitizens authorized to work in the United States by the Department of Homeland Security can get an SSN according to official Social Security Administration guidelines [7]. This suggests that some of the 2+ million SSNs may have been issued to individuals with some form of work authorization, rather than purely "undocumented" immigrants.
The question also omits the eligibility criteria for noncitizens to receive SSI benefits [8], which provides important context about the legitimate reasons why non-citizens might receive SSNs.
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
While the question itself appears neutral, the framing could be misleading by using the term "undocumented immigrants" without distinguishing between different legal statuses. The government sources consistently use the term "illegal aliens" [1] [2], while other sources refer to "migrants" [3] or "noncitizens" [7], suggesting different political perspectives on the same population.
One analysis directly contradicts claims of widespread fraud, stating that Elon Musk's assertions about millions of immigrants committing Social Security fraud are incorrect [6]. This suggests that powerful figures like Elon Musk benefit from promoting narratives about immigrant fraud, potentially to advance restrictionist immigration policies.
The Trump administration and Department of Homeland Security benefit from emphasizing the "ineligible" nature of these SSN recipients [1] [2] to justify their policy changes, while immigrant advocacy groups and those supporting more liberal immigration policies would benefit from emphasizing the legal framework that has historically allowed work-authorized immigrants to receive SSNs [6].