Trump Admin Flags Immigrants' Social Security Numbers as 'Dead' | JQJO

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has requested the Social Security Administration (SSA) to flag over 6,000 immigrants' Social Security numbers as deceased, effectively blocking their access to work and benefits. The Trump administration claims this targets individuals on the terror watchlist or with criminal records, aiming to encourage self-deportation. Critics, including former SSA Commissioner Martin O'Malley, argue this action is illegal and violates due process. The move has drawn condemnation for potentially denying legally earned benefits and is seen by some as a method to discourage immigration.

A powerful coalition of federal legislators, executive branch officials, and multinational technology corporations has coalesced around a strategy of "federal preemption," seeking to strip state governments of their authority over generative AI. The coalition argues that the legal frameworks governing these technologies are in a state of flux as generative AI affects every sector of the economy, from healthcare diagnostics to creative industries. The push aims to centralize regulation at the federal level, limiting state‑level oversight of AI development and deployment.