Elon Musk reveals millions of non-citizens received social security numbers

In the United States, Elon Musk, acting as a White House adviser and the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), presented startling statistics regarding Social Security numbers issued to non-citizens. During a rally in Wisconsin, Musk, accompanied by colleague Antonio Gracias, reported that approximately 2.1 million non-citizens acquired Social Security numbers in 2024, a significant increase from previous years, where the number was merely 270,000 in 2021. Gracias, involved in an audit of the Social Security Administration, uncovered these figures while mapping the system in search of fraud, stating this discovery was both unexpected and significant. The audit revealed a year-over-year increase in non-citizens receiving Social Security numbers under the Biden administration, drawing attention to a concerning trend. Gracias elaborated on how non-citizens obtained these numbers post-entry, noting that individuals entering the U.S. through asylum claims or other legal pathways could apply for work documents, leading to Social Security issuance without stringent identification checks. This shift in policy is rooted in previous immigration guidelines that permitted migrants to enter the country and register for Social Security, a move seen as controversial by critics. Additionally, Musk showcased a chart during the event that illustrated these growing numbers, stating that the statistics revealed a potential loophole in the system that allows non-citizens to benefit from Social Security services, prompting discussions about the integrity of public assistance programs. As part of broader investigations into federal programs by DOGE, Musk commented on other audit findings, including the identification of social security accounts belonging to individuals over 120 years old and thousands listed as alive but deceased. The discourse surrounding these findings arrives amid ongoing tensions regarding immigration policy and government assistance for non-citizens, highlighting differing perspectives on public benefits and the obligation of these programs to serve U.S. citizens exclusively. In response to Musk's revelations and the president's earlier directive to halt access to public support for non-citizens, various agencies have been striving to enhance their efforts in maintaining compliance and ensuring that public resources are duly allocated. This ongoing situation presents further questions regarding the balance of supporting legitimate asylum seekers while preventing fraud within social service systems.