Misinformation on Immigrants and Social Security Cloud Trump’s Immigration Policy

On an April 2025 episode of the All-In Podcast, private equity investor Antonio Gracias claimed that 1.3 million undocumented migrants with Social Security Numbers (SSNs) are enrolled in Medicaid, describing it as a growing burden on taxpayers.  

He also alleged that some of them are criminals, appear on terrorist watch lists, and have voted in the 2024 U.S. elections. 

Misbar traced these allegations to a chart shown during a rally in Wisconsin on March 30, 2025, where Gracias and Elon Musk raised alarms about non-citizens accessing public benefits. 

Undocumented Immigrants Cannot Get SSNs 

The data referenced stems from the Enumeration Beyond Entry (EBE) program, which legally issues SSNs to immigrants whose identities are verified by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, these claims mischaracterize how the program operates. Undocumented immigrants are ineligible for SSNs, and simply having an SSN does not grant voting rights or full access to Social Security benefits. 

A September 2023 government audit confirmed that the Social Security Administration (SSA) correctly processed 99.8% of noncitizen cases. Social Security Numbers (SSNs) issued through this process go only to individuals who are lawfully present, such as green card holders or those with work authorization. 

Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for Social Security Numbers (SSNs) and instead use Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) to pay taxes — contributing a substantial $25 billion to the system in 2022 alone.  

Legal Immigration Status Is Required for Medicaid Eligibility 

A 2019 report by the Inspector General confirmed that all SSN applicants are vetted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before data is shared with the SSA. SSNs for noncitizens are issued through the Enumeration Beyond Entry (EBE) program—a legal process established in 2017 under the Trump first administration. 

This joint initiative between SSA and USCIS grants SSNs only to individuals who have obtained work permits, permanent residency, or U.S. citizenship—all of whom are lawfully present and not “illegal migrants”. 

 According Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, non-citizens must have an “eligible immigration status” to apply for Medicaid, which is verified through the USCIS SAVE system. Undocumented immigrants are generally ineligible for Medicaid, except in limited cases such as emergency services. However, lawfully present immigrants, such as green card holders, may qualify depending on state policies and income level. 

Trump Reshapes U.S. Immigration Policy with Radical Changes 

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump issued 10 executive orders introducing major changes to immigration policy.  

Many revived or expanded previous measures—such as halting refugee admissions, tightening asylum rules, increasing deportations, and limiting public benefits for undocumented immigrants.  

He also proposed new, more extreme actions, including ending birthright citizenship, classifying cartels as terrorist groups, and creating immigrant registration systems. Altogether, the orders signal a broad and aggressive reshaping of U.S. immigration policy. 

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