Trump Targets Social Security, Plans Fraud Investigations

Recent reports reveal that thousands of immigrants were falsely declared dead by the Social Security Administration, resulting in severe hardships, after directives from the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. DOGE Service, led by Elon Musk, aimed to pressure them to leave the country. These actions, which overrode objections from senior agency staff, have been criticized as illegal and a violation of privacy and government record laws. Broader efforts by the Trump administration and Musk to overhaul Social Security include significant staff reductions and the elimination of remote access for beneficiaries, making it harder for Americans—especially seniors—to access their earned benefits. Critics argue that these moves are designed to cripple Social Security's efficiency, paving the way for privatization, while Trump and his advisers continue to make unsubstantiated claims about widespread Social Security fraud involving deceased individuals and immigrants. In reality, audits show fraud is minimal, and immigrants, including undocumented workers, contribute billions to Social Security without receiving benefits. The administration also announced new investigations and executive actions to revoke benefits from individuals flagged as ineligible, raising further concerns about the impact on vulnerable populations.