America is known for its promise of opportunity, a beacon for those seeking a better life. Juan Morales, a 34-year-old undocumented immigrant from Mexico, crossed the border three years ago with dreams of a prosperous future.
He now finds himself angry after learning that his social security benefits, which he insists he’s earned through years of “hard work and bravery,” are being taken away under President Donald Trump’s latest policy crackdown.
Morales arrived in Texas after a grueling journey through the desert, evading border patrol agents and paying a coyote $5,000 for the privilege. He settled into a landscaping job, where he says he paid into the system through fake documents that he proudly purchased for $200 from a guy named Raul.
“I risked my life to get here, and I’ve been contributing every month,” Morales said, holding up a crumpled pay stub as evidence. “Trump’s kicking me in the teeth by taking away what’s mine.”
Undocumented immigrants, who by law cannot legally work or claim social security, have nonetheless found ways to access these funds through loopholes created by the Biden administration. Morales argues that his contributions should count, legal or not, because “America is about rewarding courage.”
Across the country, similar sentiments are bubbling up among immigrant communities. In California, Maria Gonzalez, a 42-year-old mother of three who entered the U.S. illegally in 2021, echoed Morales’ frustration.
She’s been using a borrowed social security number to work at a fast-food chain and claims she’s owed benefits for her years of flipping burgers.
“I’ve paid my dues, more than most citizens,” Gonzalez said. “Why does Trump hate us for wanting the American Dream?”
An estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the U.S., with many entangled in a shadowy economy of under-the-table jobs and falsified paperwork. Advocacy groups estimate that hundreds of thousands have accessed social security benefits this way, costing taxpayers billions annually.
Trump’s order seeks to claw back those funds.
Not everyone sees it as a simple fix. In New York, activist Carlos Rivera has organized protests outside federal buildings, demanding that undocumented immigrants keep their benefits. He calls the policy racist and punitive, arguing that people like Morales and Gonzalez are the backbone of industries Americans won’t touch.
“They’re taking away what little these people have,” Rivera said. “This isn’t about fraud; it’s about punishing the vulnerable.”
Morales, meanwhile, isn’t backing down. He’s started a petition among his coworkers to send to the White House, though he admits he’s not sure how to mail it without a valid address.
“I deserve this money,” he said, staring defiantly into the distance. “If Trump wants to deport me, he’ll have to pry my check out of my hands first.”
I’m 55, a 5th generation American, have been homeless for 8 years, and have not been able to get a dime.