SSA Denies Allegations of Falsifying Records to Mark 2.7 Million as Deceased

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently refuted claims that it intended to classify 2.7 million people as deceased. These allegations emerged amid pressures to cut immigrant access to finances and services during the Trump administration.

Whistleblower Account and Senator Concerns

Former SSA employee Jeremiah Schofield, whose account gained attention from Democratic Senators Richard Blumenthal and Elizabeth Warren, expressed concerns over the legality and ethics of such actions. These senators highlighted potential violations of federal privacy rules and increased tensions surrounding the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), allegedly involved in pushing the SSA to take such actions.

The whistleblower’s disclosure appears to reveal a carefully planned, willful falsification of federal government records in order to weaponize the SSA as a tool for immigration enforcement.

SSA’s Response

An SSA official, addressing the allegations, stated that 2.7 million names were not added to the Death Master File (DMF). The agency emphasized its commitment to maintaining the integrity and accuracy of its records. Meanwhile, Newsweek contacted both Schofield’s attorney and the White House for comments.

Understanding the Death Master File

The DMF is a federal database that tracks deceased individuals, playing a critical role in identity verification and fraud prevention both within government and private sectors. The DMF contains information like Social Security numbers, names, and dates of birth and death. Once someone is listed as deceased in the SSA’s internal system, this information automatically updates the DMF, affecting banks, credit agencies, and other entities.

Origins of the Allegations

The whistleblower report, submitted on June 3, stemmed from internal discussions involving DOGE members during early 2025. DOGE, tied to a Trump administration initiative, allegedly focused on altering records without evidence of death. The most significant allegations include:

• In April 2025, a directive aimed at marking over 6,000 individuals as deceased based on a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) list, despite lack of proof.
• A broader plan to classify up to 2.7 million people as deceased, which Schofield and colleagues resisted due to legal concerns.

The disclosure details conversations about using these classifications as a means of forcing individuals to either “self-deport” or visit SSA offices, where they could face detention.

Internal SSA Reactions

The SSA’s internal response was mixed, with career staff emphasizing the illegality of such directives. These actions potentially violated federal laws, such as the Privacy Act and SSA regulations, which require proper proof before changing records. Despite these concerns, another SSA office purportedly marked over 6,000 individuals as deceased in April 2025.

However, the proposed larger plan for 2.7 million people was not executed. The whistleblower claims SSA officials proposed a “special indicator” to avert severe financial repercussions. As of his departure in October 2025, the 2.7 million individuals had not been added to the DMF.

Senatorial Actions and Consequences

Senators Warren and Blumenthal, who have criticized DOGE, demanded SSA provide details on the alleged plan by mid-June. They accused DOGE of manipulating SSA data potentially in violation of court orders that restrict access to sensitive records.

Schofield’s document did not specify any direct financial impact on Social Security but stressed the potential consequences of marking millions as deceased. Such actions could disrupt benefits administration and identity verification. The disclosure warned about undermining public confidence in SSA data integrity, possibly leading to legal liabilities under the Privacy Act.

The whistleblower’s report described the efforts as misusing SSA systems for immigration enforcement, deviating from their original intent. The whistleblower suggested that DOGE could have leveraged SSA data improperly with other agencies, potentially affecting access to benefits like SNAP and Medicare.