SSA Suspends Automatic SSN Issuance for Certain Immigrants

As of March 19, 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has suspended the Enumeration Beyond Entry (EBE) program for 90 days, which allowed certain noncitizens and new citizens to request a Social Security Number (SSN) directly on their immigration forms, such as the I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and N-400 (Application for Naturalization), and to receive their Social Security Cards by mail without the need for a separate in-person application. SSA has not committed to reinstating EBE after the 90-day review.

Affected individuals must now apply in person at SSA offices.

SSA is continuing to process EBE-based SSNs for individuals granted legal permanent resident status on Form I-485 (adjustment of status), and any SSN requests that were submitted to EBE before March 18, 2025.

Jackson Lewis:
SSA Pauses Automatic Issuance of SSNs for Certain Immigration Applicants

Experian:
Regulatory Update: SSA Pauses Automatic Issuance of SSNs for Immigrants