DAILY POLL: Do you support President Trump removing all illegal immigrants from Social Security?

As a result, undocumented workers often contribute to payroll taxes even though they may not be eligible to receive benefits.

According to estimates from government agencies and research organizations, billions of dollars are paid annually into Social Security by workers who are not legally authorized to work in the United States.

These funds often go into a part of the system known as the “Earnings Suspense File,” where tax contributions are recorded but cannot be matched to a valid Social Security account.

What the Current Law Says

Under current law, undocumented immigrants generally cannot receive Social Security benefits unless they later obtain legal status and meet the eligibility requirements.

To receive retirement benefits, individuals must:

Have a valid Social Security number

Earn sufficient work credits