The Lawfare Podcast
Lawfare Daily: Social Security, the ‘Death Master File,’ and Immigration Enforcement
May 2, 2025
Kathleen Romig, Director of Social Security and Disability Policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and Devin O’Connor, Senior Fellow at the same center, delve into alarming developments regarding the Social Security Administration's 'Death Master File.' They discuss how this data is being misused in immigration enforcement, risking grave consequences for living immigrants wrongly marked as deceased. The conversation addresses ethical concerns, oversight failures, and the broader implications of politicizing Social Security in the current landscape.
51:49
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Quick takeaways
- The Trump administration's use of the Death Master File raises ethical concerns about marking living immigrants as deceased, jeopardizing their rights.
- Compromising data integrity within the Social Security Administration could erode public trust and undermine the accuracy of vital benefits management.
Deep dives
Concerns Over the Death Master File's Usage
The episode highlights serious concerns regarding the potential misuse of the Social Security Administration's death master file, especially under the Trump administration’s directives. Allegations surfaced that this data could be weaponized against political opponents, evidenced by actions taken against Governor Mills. The discussion revolves around the administration's intentions to mark individuals as dead without proper verification, raising ethical and legal questions. The implications of such actions extend beyond individual cases, posing risks to the integrity of the Social Security system and undermining public trust.
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