ICE using Social Security records to aid Trump push to deport illegal immigrants

Fox News - Apr 15th, 2025
Open on Fox News

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has joined President Donald Trump’s comprehensive effort to fulfill his campaign promise of cracking down on illegal immigration. This development marks another significant step in Trump's 'whole-of-government' approach, as the SSA initiates the review of immigrants under 'temporary parole' status, granted during the Biden administration. The agency is scrutinizing hundreds of thousands of immigrants to identify those on the FBI terrorist watch list or with criminal records, subsequently moving their names to an 'Ineligible Master File.' This action aligns with Trump's broader strategy, which has already seen collaborations with the military and the IRS in support of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. However, this aggressive push has not been without controversy, as evidenced by the recent resignation of IRS Acting Commissioner Melanie Krause over her agency's partnership with ICE.

Trump's immigration agenda continues to face internal resistance, with some SSA staff expressing concerns about the data-sharing agreement's implications for young immigrants, citing a lack of evidence of criminal activity in some cases. Despite these challenges, Trump remains committed to leveraging every available government resource, with expectations of further agency involvement in his immigration crackdown. This move underscores the administration's determination to implement an 'America First' policy, a stance that has sparked debate over the ethical and practical implications of such a sweeping governmental approach to immigration enforcement.

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RATING

5.6
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant examination of the Trump administration's immigration policies, focusing on the involvement of the Social Security Administration and other government agencies. It effectively highlights significant public interest topics but lacks balance and transparency due to limited perspectives and insufficient context. The clarity and readability of the article are strengths, but the accuracy and source quality are somewhat compromised by potential biases and unverified claims. Overall, the story addresses important issues but would benefit from a more comprehensive and balanced approach to enhance its impact and engagement with readers.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The article makes several claims about the Social Security Administration's (SSA) role in President Donald Trump's immigration policies, particularly the classification of certain immigrants as 'dead' and the revocation of their Social Security numbers. These claims are partially supported by external reports, but the accuracy of specific figures, such as the number of immigrants on the FBI terrorist watch list, is not fully verified. The story mentions over 6,300 individuals affected, which is a significant claim that requires further evidence. Additionally, the legality and procedural correctness of these actions by the SSA are not thoroughly explored in the article, leaving room for potential inaccuracies.

5
Balance

The article predominantly presents the perspective of the Trump administration and its supporters, such as Tom Jones from the American Accountability Foundation. While it mentions some internal resistance within government agencies, such as the resignation of IRS Acting Commissioner Melanie Krause, it lacks a comprehensive representation of opposing viewpoints, particularly from immigrant advocacy groups or legal experts. This creates an imbalance, as the narrative largely supports the administration's actions without thoroughly examining their implications or legality.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it relatively easy to follow. It provides a straightforward narrative of the events and actions taken by the Trump administration. However, some complex issues, such as the legalities of data-sharing and the implications for affected immigrants, are not fully explained, which could lead to misunderstandings among readers unfamiliar with the topic.

6
Source quality

The article cites sources such as Fox News Digital and Axios, which are known for their political leanings. It also includes statements from Tom Jones, whose organization may have a particular bias. The quality of sources is mixed, as some are reputable, but the potential for bias and limited diversity in viewpoints could affect the overall reliability of the information presented. The article would benefit from a wider array of sources, including those with differing perspectives on the issue.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of disclosing the basis for certain claims, such as the specific methodology used by the SSA to classify immigrants as 'dead' or 'ineligible.' It also does not provide sufficient context or background on the legal framework governing these actions. The absence of detailed explanations for how data-sharing agreements are implemented and their implications for privacy and legality further reduces transparency.

Sources

  1. https://larson.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/outrageous-abuse-power-trump-weaponizes-social-security-deportation-spree
  2. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/social-security-dead-immigrants-temporary-legal-status/
  3. https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/social-security-administration-listing-thousands-living-immigrants-dead-120731711
  4. https://time.com/7276631/social-security-immigrants-trump-work-eligibility-benefits-services-self-deport/
  5. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/irs-dhs-reach-historic-deal-aid-pursuit-illegal-immigrants-subject-deportation