A Social Security Administration office, where recent policy changes are causing longer wait times for immigrants and newly naturalized citizens.

Social Security Administration Freezes Program That Automatically Issues Social Security Numbers to Immigrants

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has recently paused a program that for years has allowed non-citizens with work authorization issued by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services (USCIS) and newly naturalized U.S. citizens to automatically receive their Social Security numbers and cards by mail, without needing to visit a SSA local office.

Now, the Trump government's decision to pause the program is creating chaos, delays, and more paperwork by forcing more people to go in person to SSA local offices, at the same time as the government is firing large numbers of SSA staff.

Every year, the Enumeration Beyond Entry (EBE) Program has allowed millions of people whose Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) have been approved by USCIS to receive their legally issued Social Security cards in the mail without having to complete a separate, additional application with SSA.

This program also has been allowing for newly naturalized citizens to process name changes and update citizenship status without having to visit a Social Security office.

Stopping the program will likely result in approximately 60,000 to 75,000 additional people visiting SSA local offices per week at a time when the SSA has cut 12% of its workforce and shut down SSA field offices across the country.

Pausing this program does not only make it harder for immigrants to participate in civic life but also threatens to cause additional delays in services to approximately 70 million Americans who rely on Social Security benefits.

Why This Matters to You

If you or someone you know is newly work-authorized or naturalized, you may no longer receive your SSN automatically.

Instead, you may need to schedule an in-person visit to a Social Security office to request your number and card—leading to delays, longer wait times, and more paperwork.

If USCIS has approved your Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) and you have been expecting a Social Security card in the mail but have not received it, we recommend contacting your local SSA office as soon as possible.