Problems At SSA As Congress Presses To Make It Even Harder For Aliens To Get Social Security Cards

The House Social Security Subcommittee has scheduled yet another hearing on Social Security's issuance of Social Security numbers. This hearing is set for March 2, 2006. The concern is that it should be more difficult for illegal immigrants to obtain Social Security cards. By making it more difficult to obtain Social Security cards, it would become more difficult for illegals to obtain work and remain in the U.S.

Meanwhile, new Social Security card procedures already put in place are causing serious problems. The National Council of Social Security Management Associations (NCSSMA) represents Social Security's front line managers. NCSSMA has recently written Linda McMahon, SSA's Deputy Commissioner for Operations, complaining of alarming problems at local Social Security offices with issuing new and replacement Social Security cards:

We are writing you today about many issues that have arisen in Field Offices concerning the new requirements for SS-5 [Social Security card] issuance. Although we understand and support the need for increased security with this process, there is no doubt that these changes have already added a significant workload to Field Offices. In many offices we are now seeing half the members of the public visiting us come in to obtain a new or replacement Social Security card. We are finding about one-third of those applicants need to return with additional documents. This is a key reason why walk-in traffic is up around 25% this year. We believe this impact will accelerate unless we take steps to improve the situation. ... Many managers and almost all Field employees dealing directly with the public on enumeration have noticed more anger and hostility from the public regarding the SS-5 documentation issues than all other workloads we handle including denied claims, overpayments, and cessation of benefits combined.