Trump Administration Ends Program That Allows Social Security Number Issuance to Immigrants in Connection With Immigration Filings

No public notice given with end of Enumeration Beyond Entry program.

In 2017, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration jointly created a program called Enumeration Beyond Entry, which permitted foreign national applicants for certain benefits to request issuance of a Social Security card and number directly on their immigration forms. This included Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization; Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status; and Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. This program created government efficiencies and eliminated the need for applicants to visit their local Social Security office in person.

On June 3, 2025, The Guardian reported that the Trump administration has quietly put an end to the Enumeration Beyond Entry program, with no public notice. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) forms have not yet been updated to reflect this change, so applicants continue to request Social Security card issuance, but may not receive their cards. It is unclear whether they will be informed of the reason why they did not receive a card.

Applicants will now need to visit their local Social Security office in person and complete Form SS-5 in order to apply for a Social Security card.