The Social Security Administration has recently tightened the rules surrounding the issuance of Social Security Numbers to foreign nationals in the United States. The measure is designed to address concerns for the “integrity” of the Social Security Number.
According to Jo Anne Barnhart, Commissioner of Social Security noted that “The integrity of the Social Security Number is a matter of great importance to the Social Security Administration. For several years SSA has been working to strengthen the process for issuing SSNs and cards. Concerns about national security, along with the growing problem of identity theft, have caused us to accelerate our efforts.”
Four initiatives have recently been implemented:
- The SSA will no longer issue a number and card to non-citizens for the sole purpose of applying for a driver’s license.
- A new pilot program for employers that includes an online system for verifying the names and SSNs of newly hired employee
- Verifying with the state bureaus of vital statistics all birth records submitted by US born citizens age one or older applying for a Social Security Number.
- Verifying with the INS all immigration documents for non-citizens requesting a Social Security Number.
The Social Security Administration admits that it will now take longer to get a number for both citizens and non-citizens. The SSA has indicated that it is working with the INS and the states to cut down on the delays.
SSHD has been receiving reports from clients and readers that the new measures are not being implemented smoothly. For example, SSA officers are contacting the wrong INS offices who are refusing to verify valid work authorization documents.
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