Social Security Freeze Leaves Legal Immigrants in Limbo: What You Need to Know

On March 19, 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) quietly paused its Enumeration Beyond Entry (EBE) program. According to coverage in The Guardian, the SSA said in an email:
“The Enumeration Beyond Entry (EBE) process is currently paused for noncitizens granted work authorization (I-765) and newly naturalized US citizens (N-400) for 90 days, while the agency is evaluating its enumeration policies and procedures. SSA will continue to process EBE applications for those granted legal permanent resident status (I-485) along with all EBE applications that were filed prior to March 18, 2025.”
This pause halted the automatic issuance of Social Security Numbers (SSNs) for newly authorized workers and naturalized citizens, and as a result, many immigrants who recently obtained work authorization or U.S. citizenship now face unexpected delays in receiving the SSNs they need to legally work, open a bank account, pay taxes, or access housing and healthcare services.
“We’re seeing clients across visa categories suddenly blocked from working because their SSN application stalled,” said [insert name], immigration attorney at Manifest Law. “This isn’t just a bureaucratic inconvenience; it’s economic harm.”
Let’s take a look at what’s currently happening with the Enumeration Beyond Entry program, who it impacts, and what steps immigrants can take to secure their SSNs in the midst of this pause.
What Was the Enumeration Beyond Entry Program?
Launched in 2017, the EBE program was an agreement between the SSA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This program allowed the SSA to automatically issue SSNs to immigrants when their work authorization or naturalization was approved, eliminating the need for a separate in-person application and streamlining the process for both applicants and SSA field offices.
Since its launch, millions of immigrants have received SSNs through this automated system (in fiscal year 2024, 3.24m initial employment authorization documents were approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, a federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security). But now that the program is officially paused, rather than opt in for automatic SSN issuance on their I-765 or 400-N application, all applicants must appear in person at a Social Security field office to secure their Social Security number and card.
As of June 4, 2025, the SSA has not announced when or if the EBE program will resume.
Who Is Affected—And What Is The Impact?
The freeze affects any immigrant who would have automatically received a Social Security Number after receiving:
- Employment authorization
- Naturalization approval
While the freeze is in effect, impacted individuals will need to schedule in-person appointments at SSA field offices to apply for an SSN.
According to reporting from MSN News, this change is expected to increase visits to SSA offices by an estimated 1.93 million per year, putting pressure on a system that’s already dealing with significant staff reductions and office closures. This increase in visits is also projected to cause additional issues like limited appointment availability, longer wait times, and processing backlogs, creating even more obstacles for immigrants waiting for their SSNs.
The EBE freeze is also expected to significantly increase the cost of issuing SSNs. Greg Connnolly (D-VA), the late Congressman and then-acting director of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, wrote a letter to SSA Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek, urging the administration to reverse their decision. In that letter, Connolly cited an internal SSA memo (dated March 24, 2025) comparing the costs of issuing an SSN through the EBE program ($8) vs. via in-office appointments ($55.80)—confirming the EBE freeze would significantly increase the cost of the process.
What You Should Do If You’re Affected
If you recently received work authorization or U.S. citizenship and have not yet received your SSN, make sure to:
- Contact your local SSA office immediately to schedule an in-person appointment. Appointments may be required even to submit your application.
- Gather all necessary documents before your appointment, including proof of immigration status, identity documents, and authorization notices.
- Avoid assumptions. Even if your immigration approval notice said your SSN would be issued automatically, unless you filed prior to March 18, 2025, you will now need to initiate the process manually.
- Talk to an immigration attorney if your job, housing, benefits, or legal status are at risk due to the SSN delay.
You Can Still Get Your SSN; You’ll Just Need To Apply In Person
While the pause in the EBE program has created unexpected hurdles, it’s important to note that eligible immigrants can still get their Social Security Numbers; if you’re impacted, you’ll just need to apply in person at a Social Security field office. And remember, while this may be a frustrating shift in procedure, it’s not a permanent block towards getting your SSN. With the right documentation—and a bit of patience—the process is still fully accessible.
“This is absolutely still doable,” said Henry Lindpere, an immigration attorney at Manifest Law. “Yes, it’s a change in process—but not a change in eligibility. If you’ve been granted work authorization or citizenship, you are still entitled to your SSN. We’re helping clients navigate this every day. I recommend that people be proactive and schedule appointments at their local SSA as soon as possible. More people will be now flooding the offices for in-person appointments, and wait times may increase, so plan ahead!”
