...
By Kate Nalepinski
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
President Donald Trump has signed a memorandum aimed at curbing Social Security benefits for individuals without legal status in the United States.
When Will the Memorandum Be Signed?
The declaration, signed by Trump on April 15, expands the Social Security Fraud Prosecutor Program to at least 50 U.S. attorney offices and establish a Medicare and Medicaid fraud prosecution program in 15 U.S. attorney offices, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Read More
The Democratic Civil War Is Escalating5 min read
Bernie Sanders Rally Crowd Size Tops 30K in District Trump Won Three Times3 min read
Pam Bondi ‘Reviewing’ New Allegations Against Letitia James3 min read
On Tuesday afternoon, President Trump presented the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy to the Navy Midshipmen football team at the White House. The memorandum was signed after.
Why It Matters
The move comes as former President Joe Biden is slated to deliver a keynote address Tuesday night in Chicago at the Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled conference. He's expected to discuss the threat that Trump poses to Social Security.
...
Presidential Memorandum: What We Know
Leavitt said that the memorandum would require the SSA Office of the Inspector General to investigate earning reports for individuals aged 100 or older with mismatched social security records to combat identity theft.
Michelle L. Anderson is the Assistant Inspector General for Audit, performing the duties of the Inspector General. She oversees a workforce of almost criminal investigators, auditors, information technology specialists, attorneys, program analysts, budget and management analysts, human resources specialists, and public affairs specialists.
The declaration will also direct the SSA to consider whether to reinstate the use of civil monetary penalties against individuals who engage in social security fraud, which Leavitt said is "an effort that has been paused for several years."
"These taxpayer-funded benefits should be only for eligible taxpayers...Biden should think about what he did in his last term, which is allow tens of millions of illegal people into our country, many of whom were fraudulently receiving these benefits," Leavitt said.
A White House document on the memorandum reads: "Policing Social Security Act fraud is critical because the Act contains not only traditional Social Security provided to older Americans, but also unemployment insurance, disability insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, TANF, and other programs."
Who Will Be Impacted?
The memorandum primarily affects individuals who attempt to access Social Security benefits without proper legal status. It also applies to claims filed with fraudulent documents or false identities.
It appears that the directive will not impact lawful immigrants or U.S. citizens.
Who Can Access Social Security Benefits?
Undocumented immigrants are largely ineligible for Social Security benefits under current law unless they possess valid work authorization and have paid into the system using a legitimate Social Security number.
But according to the press release, Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) indicates that "American taxpayers spend at least $182 billion annually to cover the costs incurred by the presence of 20 million illegal aliens and their children."
The Social Security Protection Act of 2004 requires an illegal immigrant whose application for benefits is based on a Social Security Number assigned January 1, 2004, or later to have work authorization at the time an SSN is assigned, or at some later time, to gain insured status under the Social Security program.
Aliens whose applications are based on SSNs assigned before January 1, 2004, may count all covered earnings toward insured status, regardless of work authorization.
Update 4/15/25 6:10 P.M. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines