Recently, Elon Musk sparked fresh controversy by claiming that Democrats use Social Security and other government benefits to “buy voters.” According to Musk, these benefits act like handouts that attract illegal immigrants who later vote for the Democratic party. His comments have caught attention, especially since they come at a time when big changes are being made to the Social Security Administration (SSA) under President Donald Trump’s orders.
Why Musk’s Claims Matter
Over the last few weeks, Musk has talked about fraud in various federal benefit programs. He believes that Democrats are using government schemes to pull in illegal immigrants and secure their votes. Musk is also leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has been tightening the belt on federal spending. This includes significant changes to the SSA, such as:
- Closing SSA field offices
- Reducing staff
- Cutting phone services
These changes are raising concerns, especially among Democrats like Senator Chuck Schumer, who argue that Social Security is “under attack.”
What Musk Said
Musk shared his views during an episode of Senator Ted Cruz’s podcast. He claimed:
“Democrats have used entitlement fraud to attract millions of illegal immigrants. By offering government handouts like Social Security, they buy voters. If they legalize enough illegal immigrants, swing states will no longer be swing states—they’ll automatically vote Democrat.”
However, Musk did not provide evidence for these claims. It’s important to note that:
- Illegal immigrants cannot receive Social Security retirement benefits.
- In rare cases, they may qualify for disability benefits.
- Multiple studies, including ones from the Brennan Center for Justice and Cato Institute, show very few cases of noncitizens voting.
In fact, a study from the 2016 election found just 30 cases of noncitizens voting out of 23.5 million votes.
Recent Changes to Social Security
The SSA recently announced new policies:
- Starting March 31, people can no longer verify their identity or change their direct deposit information over the phone.
- The SSA says this move will help protect against fraud and keep Social Security records safe.
Still, Musk argues that programs like Social Security, Medicare, and disability benefits act as magnets pulling illegal immigrants into the country.
What the Law Actually Says
The Social Security Administration’s official website clarifies:
- Only lawfully present noncitizens who meet all eligibility rules can receive Social Security benefits.
- Immigrants authorized to work in the U.S. and who have a Social Security number may also qualify.
- Illegal immigrants are not eligible for Social Security retirement benefits.
However, some immigrants who entered the country unlawfully but later gained temporary legal status may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or disability benefits, but only under specific conditions.
The Real Financial Impact of Immigrants on Social Security
Contrary to Musk’s statements, many experts say illegal immigrants actually help Social Security’s finances. Here’s how:
- Many undocumented immigrants pay payroll taxes even though they’re not eligible to collect Social Security benefits.
- This means they contribute money to the system without ever getting benefits in return.
A 2023 report from the Center for Immigration Studies said:
“Illegal immigration improves the financial health of Social Security and Medicare. These immigrants often pay taxes into the system without receiving benefits, making their contributions ‘free money’ for the trust funds.”
What the Numbers Say About Fraud
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that between 2018 and 2022, fraud across all federal programs cost the government anywhere from $233 billion to $521 billion per year.
But when it comes to Social Security specifically:
- Between 2015 and 2022, the SSA paid out almost $8.6 trillion.
- Only $71.8 billion (less than 1%) was labeled as “improper payments.”
- Most of these were simple overpayments, not fraud, and often had to be paid back.
What Experts Are Saying
Many experts disagree with Musk’s claims:
- Kathleen Romig, a Social Security policy expert, told NBC News:
“Undocumented immigrants cannot receive SSI or Social Security benefits, but they actually contribute a lot to the Social Security system.”
- Dr. Shayak Sarkar, a law professor at UC Davis, also said:
“Even undocumented immigrant workers pay Social Security taxes, although many will never claim benefits.”
What’s Next
As of now, Elon Musk has not provided any solid proof to support his claims about illegal immigrants benefiting from Social Security or influencing elections. But his comments, combined with the ongoing policy changes at the SSA, are sparking serious debates about immigration, benefits, and federal spending.
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