Preventing Illegal Aliens from Obtaining Social Security Act Benefits
MEMORANDUM FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERALTHE SECRETARY OF LABORTHE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESTHE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITYTHE COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITYTHE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE SOCIAL SECURITYADMINISTRATION
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MEMORANDUM FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERALTHE SECRETARY OF LABORTHE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESTHE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITYTHE COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITYTHE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE SOCIAL SECURITYADMINISTRATION
SUBJECT: Preventing Illegal Aliens from Obtaining Social Security Act Benefits
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct:
Section 1. Responsibility for Determining Eligibility for Public Benefits. (a) As set forth in Executive Order 14218 of February 19, 2025 (Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders), both Federal law (title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-193)) and principles of sound administration demand that taxpayer-funded benefits be provided only to eligible persons and not encourage or reward illegal immigration to the United States. This interest is especially compelling with respect to Social Security Act benefits, which demand strict policing of fraud, waste, and abuse to ensure future eligible individuals receive the benefits to which they are entitled. Consequently, this memorandum gives additional direction for implementing Executive Order 14218 with regard to Social Security Act programs.
(b) The Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Commissioner of Social Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security as necessary, shall take all reasonable measures, consistent with applicable law, to ensure ineligible aliens are not receiving funds from Social Security Act programs. Such measures shall include promulgating any necessary guidance or regulations regarding Social Security Act funds and, to the extent appropriate and consistent with law, prioritizing civil or administrative enforcement actions against States, localities, or other similar grantees or subgrantees that do not take adequate measures to verify eligibility, stop payments to deceased or otherwise ineligible payees, or otherwise prevent ineligible aliens from receiving funds from Social Security Act programs.