A Trump administration official who refused to add migrants to the Social Security “death master file” was escorted out of his office by security guards as the controversial policy begins to take effect.
At a Glance
- Greg Pearre, a Social Security Administration manager, was removed after refusing to add migrants’ names to the “death master file”
- The Trump administration is using the tactic to cut off financial access for approximately 1.4 million migrants who entered under Biden-era programs
- Over 6,300 migrants have already been added to the death master file, effectively terminating their financial lives
- The administration is sending notices to migrants with revoked parole status, giving them 7 days to self-deport
- White House officials defend the policy as protecting American citizens’ Social Security benefits and encouraging self-deportation
SSA Official Removed After Policy Refusal
The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts have taken a new turn with a directive to add migrants to Social Security’s “death master file.” This policy came to public attention when Greg Pearre, a manager at the Social Security Administration, was escorted out of his office by security guards after refusing to implement the directive. The incident occurred at the SSA headquarters in Woodlawn, Maryland, highlighting the controversial nature of the policy and raising questions about its legality and ethical implications.
The administration’s strategy targets approximately 1.4 million migrants who received legal status through various Biden-era programs, including the CBP One app. By adding migrants to the death master file, the government effectively terminates their ability to access financial services, including credit cards, bank accounts, and government benefits. So far, about 6,300 migrants have had their names added to the list, with the first group including 6,100 individuals and an additional 102 names added later.
Migrants Face Revocation of Legal Status
The Trump administration has begun sending notices to migrants who entered the United States through official entry points using the CBP One app, informing them that their parole status will be terminated within seven days. Over 900,000 migrants used this system during the Biden administration, receiving immigration parole and work authorization. The notices are direct and forceful, leaving no room for misinterpretation about the administration’s intentions to enforce deportations.
According to the message sent by the Department of Homeland Security: “If you do not depart the United States immediately you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States — unless you have otherwise obtained a lawful basis to remain here.”
Migrants are being encouraged to self-deport using the CBP Home app, which is the rebranded version of the CBP One app. The effort initially focused on individuals labeled as convicted criminals and “suspected terrorists,” but could potentially expand to include other unauthorized individuals. Migrants with pending asylum cases in immigration court are not immediately affected by these actions, providing a temporary reprieve for those in the midst of legal proceedings.
Administration Defends Policy as Protecting Americans
White House officials have strongly defended the policy, framing it as a necessary measure to protect American citizens and their Social Security benefits. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement supporting the directive, emphasizing that it aligns with the administration’s immigration priorities. Leland Dudek, acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration, informed staff that the financial lives of listed migrants would be “terminated” as part of this effort.
“The Trump Administration is protecting lawful American citizens and their hard-earned Social Security benefits, and ensuring illegal immigrants will no longer receive such economic entitlements.”, said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has stated that the plan aims to prevent illegal immigrants, including suspected terrorists, from accessing privileges meant for lawful residents. A White House official noted that some migrants on the list are receiving Medicaid benefits, unemployment assistance, and student loans. Elizabeth Huston, a White House representative, emphasized that the policy serves as an economic deterrent designed to encourage self-deportation.
“President Trump promised mass deportations, and by removing the monetary incentive for illegal aliens to come and stay, we will encourage them to self-deport”, said Elizabeth Huston, a White House representative.
Broader Immigration Enforcement Efforts
The Social Security directive is part of a larger effort to dismantle Biden-era immigration programs and increase deportations. In addition to the migrants who entered through the CBP One app, the administration’s actions also affect more than half a million Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans under a separate Biden initiative.
These groups now face deadlines to self-deport or face enforcement actions, though efforts to phase out Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelan migrants are currently stalled in federal court.
Critics argue that equating living migrants to deceased individuals poses significant ethical and legal risks. They contend that this policy represents an unprecedented use of administrative mechanisms to enforce immigration policy. However, supporters view it as a necessary and creative approach to address illegal immigration and protect resources intended for American citizens, aligning with President Trump’s campaign promises to take stronger action on immigration enforcement and border security.
