Fact check: How many social security numbers were issued to undocumented immigrants in 2023 compared to 2024?

1. Summary of the results

The original statement inquires about the number of social security numbers issued to undocumented immigrants in 2023 compared to 2024. According to the analysis from ^[1], nearly 2.1 million migrants were given Social Security numbers in fiscal year 2024, which is a sharp increase from the 964,000 who received them in 2023 ^[1]. However, it is essential to note that these numbers include all noncitizens, not just undocumented immigrants, as clarified by ^[2], which states that only lawfully present noncitizens who meet eligibility requirements can qualify for Social Security benefits ^[2]. The analysis from ^[3] highlights that undocumented immigrants paid $26.2 billion into the Social Security Trust Fund in 2023, but most will never collect these benefits ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A key piece of missing context is the distinction between undocumented immigrants and all noncitizens, as the original statement specifically asks about undocumented immigrants, but the provided analyses often discuss noncitizens more broadly ^{[1] [2]}. Additionally, the analysis from ^[3] and ^[3] does not provide direct information on the number of social security numbers issued to undocumented immigrants in 2023 or 2024 ^[3]. The analysis from ^[4] provides information on the eligibility of noncitizens for SSI benefits but does not address the specific question ^[4]. The analysis from ^[5] offers context on the unauthorized immigrant population, which could be relevant but does not directly answer the question about social security numbers ^[5].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may contain potential misinformation or bias by implying that social security numbers are directly issued to undocumented immigrants, which could be misleading as social security numbers are issued to eligible noncitizens, including those who are lawfully present ^[2]. The statement also does not account for the distinction between social security numbers and social security benefits, as clarified by ^[2], which could lead to confusion ^[2]. Furthermore, the framing of the question could benefit those who wish to emphasize the perceived burden of undocumented immigrants on the social security system, while overlooking the contributions of these individuals to the system, as highlighted by ^{[3] [3]}.