Trump Administration flagging lawfully obtained SSNs as fraudulent, undermining integrity of Social Security
August 23, 2025 - Washington, D.C. – On Friday, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) joined Senate Finance 
Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and six Senate Democrats in demanding answers over reports that the Trump administration is deeming thousands of Social Security Numbers (SSN) fraudulent in its continued effort to push immigrants out of the country.
Prior administrations used the Social Security Administration (SSA) database to assist financial institutions with banking and mortgages by potentially flagging SSNs that were fraudulently obtained, incorrect, or mistakenly associated with another person. However, the Trump administration is exploiting this database, labeling immigrants as “unverified” to deny them from accessing vital services that require an SSN, such as securing jobs, opening bank accounts or obtaining health care benefits. SSA has also abandoned its constitutional responsibility to notify individuals whose SSNs have been flagged and establish an appeals process.
“Falsely flagging lawfully obtained SSNs as ‘fraudulent’ essentially robs these individuals of their identity—achieving a similar result to placing these noncitizens on the agency’s Death Master File. Once an SSN is flagged as fraudulent, individuals may not be able to access benefits and banking and mortgage services for which they are otherwise eligible,” the senators wrote in a letter to SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano. “With this new practice, SSA continues a reckless pattern of undermining the trust in and accuracy of its programs by deliberately supplying false information about legitimate SSN matches to the public.”
The Trump administration’s new move will undermine SSA’s responsibility to provide customer service, increasing foot traffic at already overwhelmed field offices and calls to its national 1-800 line. Recent reporting has highlighted that high foot traffic at SSA has wreaked havoc on the emotional and financial well-being of elderly and disabled Americans who depend on accessing their earned benefits.
To understand the Trump administration’s deliberate effort to not only force immigrants to self-deport but also obstruct customer service at SSA, the senators demanded answers to questions including:
-
Of the reported 6,300 non-citizens who were initially transferred to the Death Master File, how many have been “resurrected” or removed from the Death Master File?
-
Since January 20, 2025, how many SSNs have been flagged with an “unverified” or another Special Indicator code due to the number-holder’s supposed legal status?
-
What are the downstream impacts of applying the Special Indicator code to these individuals, both within and outside the federal government?
-
Please provide the relevant policy, procedures, and guidance related to applying the Special Indicator codes.
-
Please provide the relevant statutory, regulatory, and subregulatory authority to apply these Special Indicator codes.
-
Does SSA have procedures allowing individuals whose SSN information has been flagged with the Special Indicator code to appeal such designation?
The letter is cosigned by Senators Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Cory A. Booker (D-N.J.).
Senate Dems’ Social Security War Room is a coordinated effort to fight back against the Trump administration’s attack on Americans’ Social Security. The War Room coordinates messaging across the Senate Democratic Caucus and external stakeholders; encourages grassroots engagement by providing opportunities for Americans to share what Social Security means to them; and educates Senate staff, the American public, and stakeholders about Republicans’ agenda and their continued cuts to Americans’ Social Security services and benefits.
Source: Senator Elizabeth Warren
