Thousands of legal immigrants in the United States are currently facing an unexpected suspension in the issuance of their Social Security numbers, which has halted their access to jobs, basic services, and benefits. This situation stems directly from the suspension of the Enumeration Beyond Entry (EBE) program by the Social Security Administration (SSA) on March 19, 2025, a decision that has generated chaos and indignation.
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The SSA announced a temporary 90-day suspension of the EBE for those submitting forms I-765 and N-400. Although no prior public notice was given, the pause appears to be linked to an April 2025 memorandum from the Trump administration, which seeks to prevent undocumented immigrants from accessing Social Security benefits, despite the lack of significant evidence of fraud.
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The absence of this number prevents opening joint bank accounts, obtaining driver’s licenses, or renting homes, complicating their social and economic integration. The change will force approximately 1.93 million people annually to personally visit SSA offices, which are already facing staff shortages and frequent closures. Issuing a Social Security number in person costs $55.80 per application, compared to the $8 it cost to process it automatically through the EBE.
Explicame: Social Security benefits suspended for thousands for three months
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