# SSR 78-21c: SSR 78-21c: SECTION 202(n) (42 U.S.C. 402(n)) NON-PAYMENT OF BENEFITS -- DEPORTATION -- CONSTITUTIONALITY > Federal · Rulings · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_78_21c ## Section - **Citation:** SSR 78-21c - **Heading:** SSR 78-21c: SECTION 202(n) (42 U.S.C. 402(n)) NON-PAYMENT OF BENEFITS -- DEPORTATION -- CONSTITUTIONALITY - **Jurisdiction:** Federal - **Kind:** Rulings - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Social Security Rulings / OASI / Termination of Benefits upon Deportation of Primary Beneficiary / SSR 78-21c ## Text 20 CFR 404.464 SSR 78-21c MARTINEZ v. MATHEWS, IA Unempl. Ins. Rep. ¶ 15384 (C.A. 9-1977) PER CURIAM: Appellant, Macario Martinez, a native and citizen of Mexico, illegally entered the United States in 1934 and resided here continually from 1934 to 1960. During this period he was employed, and contributions were made on his behalf to the Social Security System. In 1960 he was convicted for working without a passport and was subsequently deported. He was lawfully readmitted to the United States in 1973. He was denied retirement insurance benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act for the period during which he was in Mexico under deportation. He was, however, granted retroactive benefits for the period immediately preceding deportation and payments were resumed upon his lawful reentry into this country in March 1973. He challenges the denial of benefits during the period of his deportation. Jurisdiction of the district court was asserted pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331 and 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The issue raised is whether 42 U.S.C. § 402(h) which prohibits the payment of Social Security benefits to deported aliens, is constitutional. The district court held that the prohibition is constitutional. We affirm. The issue appears to have been resolved in Flemming v. Nestor , 363 U.S. 603 (1960). There, the appellee became eligible for old-age benefits in November 1955. In July 1956 he was deported for having been a member of the Communist Party. Because this was one of the benefit-termination deportation grounds under 42 U.S.C. § 402(h),8 his benefits were terminated and notice given. He failed to obtain administrative reversal of the decision and sought relief in the district court. That court held the provision unconstitutional and the Secretary appealed directly pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1252. a member of the Communist Party. Because this was one of the benefit-termination deportation grounds under 42 U.S.C. § 402(h),8 his benefits were terminated and notice given. He failed to obtain administrative reversal of the decision and sought relief in the district court. That court held the provision unconstitutional and the Secretary appealed directly pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1252. The Supreme Court held that 42 U.S.C. § 402(h) [1] did not deprive appellee of an "accrued property right" in benefit payments such as would make every defeasance of that right violative of the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment. Appellant's suggestion that Flemming is no longer the law does not find support in the Court's recent decisions. See Califano v. Webster , 97 S.Ct. 1192 (1977); Califano v. Goldfarb , 430 U.S. 199 (1977); Mathews v. Diaz , 426 U.S. 67 (1976). The judgment is AFFIRMED. [1] Reference should be to §402(n)(ED.) ## Nearby sections - [SSR 68-45 SSR 68-45: SECTION 202(n)(1). -- BENEFITS -- NONPAYMENT OF BENEFITS BECAUSE OF DEPORTATION](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_68_45.md) - [SSR 75-27a SSR 75-27a: SECTION 202(n) (42 U.S.C. 402(n)) -- BENEFITS -- NONPAYMENT OF BENEFITS BECAUSE OF DEPORTATION](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_75_27a.md) - [SSR 78-21c SSR 78-21c: SECTION 202(n) (42 U.S.C. 402(n)) NON-PAYMENT OF BENEFITS -- DEPORTATION -- CONSTITUTIONALITY](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_78_21c.md) - [SSR 78-29 SSR 78-29: Rescinded 1984](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_78_29.md) - [SSR 83-32 SSR 83-32: TITLE II: DEPORTATION -- MONTH IN WHICH NOTICE OF DEPORTATION IS RECEIVED](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_83_32.md) - [SSR 87-12c SSR 87-12c: SECTION 202(n) OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT (42 U.S.C. 402(n)) BENEFITS -- NONPAYMENT OF BENEFITS BECAUSE OF DEPORTATION](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_87_12c.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SSA_SSR_OASI_SSR_78_21c. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.