By: Ashmar Mandou

On Monday, April 21st, Representative Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) held a press conference outside of Federal Plaza, alongside local elected officials, AFGE National, Social Security Works, and community leaders. Together, they spoke out against the Trump administration’s plan to cut thousands of Social Security Administration (SSA) jobs and eliminate Spanish-language services, a move that would severely impact federal workers, seniors, people with disabilities, and Spanish-speaking immigrants in Illinois’ 4th Congressional District, claimed Congressman Garcia. “Social Security isn’t a gift — it’s something paid into and earned. But right now, the Trump administration is slashing jobs, shutting down services, and targeting immigrant communities. This is not about saving Americans money — it’s about making the rich even richer. We’re here to say clearly: Hands off Social Security. Eliminating services in Spanish is more than bad policy — it’s a civil rights crisis. We won’t let it be dismantled without a fight,” said Congressman García.

In Federal Plaza, Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia criticized the administration of President Donald Trump for terminating thousands of workers from the Social Security Administration, which could potentially lead to cutting half of the agency’s entire staff. That comes after the closure of 47 Social Security offices across the country, including 26 this month. No offices in Illinois have been closed. The federal government also recently classified more than 6,000 living immigrants as dead and canceled their Social Security numbers, meaning they cannot legally get a job, collect Social Security benefits or receive certain government benefits. This also makes it harder to open bank accounts or enroll their children in schools. “Social Security is a critical lifeline for people with disabilities, many of whom live in poverty because of their disability. There are more than 11 million disabled Americans under the age of 65 who rely on benefits from the Social Security Administration. When a local field office is closed, the number of people receiving disability benefits nearby drops by 16 percent. This cuts families from lifesaving financial support,” said Michelle Garcia, Manager of Organizing and Community Development at Access Living.

“For our seniors, Social Security isn’t extra money. It’s how they pay the rent, buy food, cover prescriptions, and keep the lights on. A delayed check or a lost claim can throw their entire life into crisis. We have a responsibility to protect the dignity of our elders. We’re not going to wait for this crisis to get worse. We’re raising our voices now, because our seniors can’t afford to be ignored,” added Richard Juarez, Executive Director of Solutions for Care.

Photo Credit: Office of Representative Jesús “Chuy” García