The Social Security Administration (SSA) is reportedly informing staff to disclose in-person appointment details to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. This shift marks a heightened level of cooperation between the SSA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE’s parent agency, raising concerns about trust and accessibility for vulnerable populations.
New Directive Raises Privacy Concerns
According to an SSA employee who requested anonymity, workers have been verbally instructed to provide ICE with dates and times of scheduled in-person appointments. While most SSA interactions occur remotely, some individuals—including those requiring interpreters or those verifying eligibility for benefits—still attend offices in person.
This practice is concerning because Social Security numbers are assigned to both U.S. citizens and legal residents, meaning undocumented individuals seeking assistance may be at risk. The directive bypasses established protocols for law enforcement involvement, potentially circumventing standard paperwork and oversight.
A Pattern of Data Sharing Under the Trump Administration
The SSA has been sharing data with ICE since the latter half of President Trump’s term. In April, WIRED reported that the administration had consolidated sensitive information from multiple federal agencies, including the SSA, DHS, and the IRS. By November, the SSA publicly acknowledged sharing “citizenship and immigration information” with DHS.
However, the current directive to share appointment times goes beyond previous agreements. Leland Dudek, former SSA commissioner, describes it as “highly unusual,” emphasizing that the SSA should be a safe space for all, regardless of immigration status.
Legal Challenges and Eroding Public Trust
The practice faces legal hurdles: in November, a federal judge in Massachusetts ruled against the IRS and SSA sharing taxpayer data with ICE. Nevertheless, the SSA’s increased collaboration with ICE risks undermining public trust, as individuals may hesitate to seek essential benefits if they fear potential repercussions.
As Dudek warns, the SSA’s cooperation with ICE diminishes its value as a neutral service provider. The lack of transparency surrounding this policy—communicated verbally instead of through official updates—heightens concerns about the SSA abandoning established safeguards.
The expansion of SSA data sharing with ICE represents a significant shift in enforcement strategy, potentially jeopardizing the agency’s role as a public safety net.
