Over 1 million Americans may unknowingly share their Social Security numbers with illegal immigrants using stolen identities to work—fueling a surge in financial fraud, tax nightmares, and emotional distress, according to a RealClear Wire investigation.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
WASHINGTON — A Minnesota factory worker discovered he owed crushing tax bills after a thrice-deported illegal immigrant used his identity for years. In Iowa, taxpayers learned their school superintendent was an illegal immigrant facing deportation. These cases are not isolated: 70 illegal workers were accused of stealing over 100 identities to work at a Nebraska meatpacking plant, while 18 individuals were charged in March with “aggravated identity theft” and fraud.
Identity theft is far from victimless. Studies show it causes emotional and physical stress, yet federal and state governments have failed to address gaping holes in the E-Verify system, the primary tool designed to prevent such fraud.
E-Verify: A Flawed but Effective Deterrent
Established in 1997, E-Verify allows employers to check if an applicant’s Form I-9 information matches federal records. While not foolproof—it doesn’t confirm if the data belongs to the applicant—experts call it “pretty good for a government program.”
“You have to commit a felony to fool it,” said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies.
Yet only nine states mandate E-Verify for private employers. California actively restricts it, and Illinois discourages it. Even when used, penalties for hiring ineligible workers are modest, escalating to criminal charges only after repeated violations.
A Patchwork of Enforcement
The Des Moines school board, where the superintendent was found to be an illegal immigrant, admitted it does not use E-Verify. Meanwhile, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has pushed for a federal E-Verify mandate, but such efforts have stalled in Congress.
Usage has grown—from 250,000 employers in 2011 to 1.4 million in 2025—but inconsistent enforcement leaves gaps. Florida conducted 2.4 million checks this year, while South Carolina exceeded 500,000. Even in California, where the system is discouraged, 2.6 million checks were run.
How Identity Theft Thrives
E-Verify doesn’t alert citizens when their information is used. Stolen Social Security numbers are easily bought on the dark web, and data breaches—like Yahoo’s 2013 hack affecting 3 billion people—flood the black market.
The Social Security Administration’s “Earnings Suspense File”, which tracks unmatched tax payments, has ballooned to $2.3 trillion, largely due to illegal immigration. In FY 2024, the agency received 78,588 misuse allegations; in just six months of 2025, another 26,822 were reported.
Legal Hurdles and Sophisticated Fraud
A 2009 Supreme Court ruling required proof that thieves knew they were using stolen identities, complicating prosecutions. Yet cases persist: Florida, Arizona, and other states continue charging aggravated identity theft.
“It’s no longer a cottage industry, it’s a mansion industry,” said Bob Griggs, CEO of Verify I-9, noting that AI and counterfeit documents make fraud harder to detect.
Why E-Verify Isn’t Universal
Opponents argue it raises false flags—though errors occur in just 1 in 400 cases—and claim it hurts low-wage labor markets. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce opposed it until 2021, when the Supreme Court upheld Arizona’s mandate.
States like South Carolina and Georgia, which require E-Verify, have seen economic growth and lower unemployment, debunking claims that the system harms business.
Solutions Within Reach
Experts suggest linking E-Verify to state DMV records for photo verification and expanding “no-match letters” from the IRS to alert employers of discrepancies.
“If you take these steps and an employer doesn’t fire unresolved identities, that’s proof they’re knowingly hiring illegals,” Krikorian said.
Without stronger enforcement, identity theft will keep rising—leaving millions of Americans vulnerable to fraud, tax liabilities, and lifelong financial damage.
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