Elon Musk is drawing renewed attention to immigration and federal oversight policies after publicly sharing data suggesting that millions of noncitizens have been issued Social Security numbers during President Joe Biden’s administration.
The chart Musk posted indicated that approximately 2.4 million Social Security numbers were assigned to noncitizens since 2021, raising questions about the broader implications for welfare eligibility, tax processing, and electoral integrity. The figures, reportedly compiled from federal data, distinguish between temporary and permanent assignments, including for work authorization and refugee or asylum-based immigration pathways.
Musk’s post reignited debate on social media and among lawmakers about how the federal government manages identification and benefits distribution for noncitizens. Critics of the current policy framework argue that issuing Social Security numbers to individuals without permanent legal status opens the door to misuse of public services and blurs the distinction between citizens and noncitizens in critical databases.
Supporters of the practice counter that the issuance of Social Security numbers is often legally required for tax purposes, employment eligibility, or immigration processing. Many of these noncitizens, they point out, are authorized to work in the U.S. or are awaiting adjudication under humanitarian programs and are not granted access to the full range of federal benefits.
Musk’s criticism aligns with his broader calls for greater government transparency and tighter controls over U.S. institutions. In recent months, he has intensified his commentary on national policy issues, particularly those involving immigration, technology, and security.
Republican lawmakers seized on the data to demand further inquiry. Several have pledged to introduce legislation requiring stricter documentation standards and clearer limits on the use of federal identification tools by noncitizens. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders have defended the existing structure as both lawful and necessary to ensure regulatory compliance and lawful employment.
The Social Security Administration has yet to release a formal statement responding to the growing controversy. However, past guidance from the agency confirms that Social Security numbers may be granted to noncitizens for employment or other authorized federal purposes, even if they are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
As the 2024 election cycle intensifies, the issue of noncitizen documentation and access to federal systems is likely to become an even more prominent talking point in national debates.