Staff Reports
In a stunning turn of events, immigrants who thought they were welcomed by the open-border policies of the Biden era may soon find themselves cut off from their bank accounts, thanks to a strategy being developed under the Trump administration. The uproar comes from a recent report detailing how that “warm welcome” might just lead to a one-way ticket to financial oblivion for many.
The New York Times, known for its penchant for unnamed sources, reported that those who entered through recently scrapped Biden administration programs could end up listed in the Social Security “death master file.” That’s a neat trick for a bunch of folks just trying to get a fresh start in America. Leland Dudek, acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration, seemingly takes the “financial lives” of these immigrants quite seriously, stating that being on this list is akin to hitting a dead end—literally.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem threw her support behind the plan, asserting it was designed to block “suspected terrorists” from enjoying any “privileges reserved for those with lawful status.” A noble sentiment, albeit one that may leave many immigrants scratching their heads and wondering what they did wrong. The list, which is shared among federal agencies to prevent benefit fraud, is also brought to the attention of banks that want to play it safe and keep the bad apples at bay.
Approximately 1.4 million individuals are expected to be affected—largely comprising participants of the CNVH program that let 500,000 migrants from Central and South America into the U.S. and the CBP One app allowing another 900,000 to stay and work. With the Trump administration having scrapped these programs and basically told participants to go home, the dramatic curtain is falling quickly for those who thought they had found their place in the land of opportunity.
White House Plan Would Push Migrants to Self-Deport by Placing Government ID Number in 'Death Master File': Report: For migrants targeted under the plan, life in America would become exceedingly difficult. https://t.co/egSk47lbzw pic.twitter.com/OCHqgAqpM5
— The Western Journal (@WestJournalism) April 11, 2025
Recent figures show that 6,300 new names were added to that infamous death file, which stirred up some head-scratching among experts. A White House official couldn’t help but remark that many of those added are drawing on government assistance, with almost 1,000 on Medicaid, 41 receiving unemployment benefits, and 22 taking out student loans. Sounds a bit like a bad comic book plot where the villain strikes financial terror from above.
The notion that this plan might actually encourage self-deportation has gained traction among certain factions of the administration. It plays right into Trump’s goal of tightening border security and reducing incentives for illegal immigration. Elizabeth Huston, a White House representative, emphasized that by stripping financial support, they’re really just giving would-be immigrants a painful nudge back to where they came from. Of course, this maneuver has drawn ire from past administrators like Martin O’Malley, who described it as “financial murder”—a typically dramatic spin from someone once at the helm under Biden’s watch.
Despite the backlash, it remains to be seen whether this approach can shake things up at the border. One thing is for sure: the political theater surrounding immigration in this country never disappoints. What’s next—banning aliens from using credit cards altogether? Buckle up, America, this rollercoaster is just getting started.
