by Mish Shedlock, Mish Talk:
I am investigating the above claim.
Investigating Elon Musk’s Claim
The claim, including a video, is in this Post on X.
Democrats did give MILLIONS of illegals Social Security Numbers – They were REGISTERING TO VOTE – Elon Musk has confirmation THEY DID VOTE – Democrats qualified illegals for MAX SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS – They enrolled in Medicaid with their new Social Security Numbers See graph in video:
Since Musk is a proven liar I am skeptical of anything he says.
TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/
However, proven liar does not imply he is lying this time. And perhaps he even has some of the key numbers correct, but the overall story is false, either on purpose because it sounds like something, or by accident
Let’s do a fact check to see if there is possibly a valid explanation for the numbers Musk is posting.
Social Security Fact Check
Fact #1 – Noncitizens authorized to work in the United can get a SSN.
We have a way for noncitizens to apply for Social Security number (SSN) cards as part of the immigration process. When you apply for your immigrant visa with the U.S. Department of State, you can also apply for an SSN card at the same time.
Helping An Immigrant?
Know someone who can benefit from this process? Learn how you can help them.
Social Security Fact Check #2
Noncitizens authorized to work in the United States by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can get an SSN.
Please consider Who Can Request a Social Security Number
All U.S. citizens can request a Social Security number. Some noncitizens may be able to request a number if they work or attend school, or if they have a valid nonwork reason.
People who may need a new Social Security number include:
- Noncitizens (PDF)
- International students (PDF)
- Foreign workers (PDF)
- Citizen children (PDF)
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals applicants (PDF)
- Domestic violence survivors (PDF)
Musk says millions of “illegals” got Social Security numbers. The audience in the video let out an audible gasp.
Is it even true?
Registering to Vote Fact Check
Did illegals register to vote or were they automatically registered to vote?
It matters.
Fact #3 Twenty-Five States Have Automatic Registration when someone gets a drivers license.
I disagree with automatic registration. We need new national laws to prevent this. But this is a known item Musk did not uncover anything.
The remedy is obvious.
Medicaid Fact Check
Fact #4 Healthcare.Gov describes Coverage for Lawfully Present Immigrants.
Lawfully present immigrants can get Marketplace coverage and may qualify for premium tax credits and other savings on Marketplace plans.
The term “lawfully present” includes immigrants who have:
- “Qualified non-citizen” immigration status (see details below).
- Humanitarian statuses or circumstances (including Temporary Protected Status, Special Juvenile Status, asylum applicants, Convention Against Torture, victims of trafficking).
- Valid non-immigrant visas.
- Legal status conferred by other laws (temporary resident status, LIFE Act, Family Unity individuals). Get a full list of immigration statuses eligible for Marketplace coverage.
Lawfully Present Immigrants and Marketplace Savings
If you’re a lawfully present immigrant, you can get Marketplace coverage. You may qualify for lower costs on monthly premiums and extra savings on out-of-pocket costs based on your income.
The federal poverty level (FPL)
is a measure of income used to decide your eligibility for certain programs and benefits. This could include savings on Marketplace health insurance, and Medicaid and CHIP coverage.
Immigrants and Medicaid & CHIP
If you’re a “qualified non-citizen,” you’re generally eligible for coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), if you meet state income and residency rules.
To get Medicaid and CHIP coverage, many qualified non-citizens (such as many Lawful Permanent Residents, also known as LPRs or green card holders) have a 5-year waiting period. This means they must wait 5 years after getting “qualified” immigration status before they can get Medicaid and CHIP coverage. There are exceptions. For example, refugees, asylees, or LPRs who used to be refugees or asylees don’t have to wait 5 years. Qualified non-citizens who haven’t yet had their status for 5 years generally qualify for Marketplace coverage, if otherwise eligible.
The term “qualified non-citizen” includes:
- Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR/Green Card Holder)
- Asylees
- Refugees
- Cuban/Haitian entrants
- Paroled into the U.S. for at least one year
- Conditional entrant granted before 1980
- Battered non-citizens, spouses, children, or parents
- Victims of trafficking and his or her spouse, child, sibling, or parent or individuals with a pending application for a victim of trafficking visa
- Granted withholding of deportation
- Member of a federally recognized Indian tribe or American Indian born in Canada
- Citizens of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau who are living in one of the U.S. states or territories (referred to as Compact of Free Association or COFA migrants)
Did Any Noncitizens Vote?
I don’t know, but any is too many.
So, I am a strong proponent of valid IDs, and no automatic registration.
DOGE Is Mostly Hype
Reasonable people can disagree with the above processes. But the Medicaid and Social Security rules are posted on official government sites.
Thus, there are reasonable and valid explanations for the numbers Musk posted.
