Most immigrants in US illegally aren't eligible for direct $1,400 stimulus checks

A widely shared Facebook post claims that people living in the country illegally will get payments from the $1.9 trillion coronavirus pandemic relief package.

The post states: "Illegal aliens will receive $1,400 stimulus checks."

The post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)

One user commented in response: "Can someone fact check this?"

We did. Here’s what our fact-check finds:

With a few exceptions, you must have a Social Security number to receive the $1,400 stimulus payments for yourself. (The exceptions are for dependents who have an adoption taxpayer ID and for people who are married to members of the military.)

Among noncitizens, generally, only those who are authorized to work in the United States by the Department of Homeland Security can get a Social Security number, including legal permanent residents.