Describing a "thriving black market," an immigration reform agency reports IRS records show 39 million Social Security numbers have been stolen by illegal immigrants to obtain jobs.

The Immigration Reform Law Institute, which combed records from 2012 to 2016, found 39 million instances in which names and Social Security numbers on W-2 tax forms "did not match the corresponding Social Security records," the Washington Examiner reported.

The Examiner said the report draws attention to a move by former President Obama to stop notifying employers that numbers used by employees on the wage forms do not match their identity.

Obama also approved amnesty for some 700,000 younger immigrants, so-called "Dreamers," let into the U.S. under his Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival.

The Immigration Reform Law Institute said the Social Security numbers of young children are especially sought by illegal aliens, "as this theft is likely to go undetected for years."

"As children reach late teenage years and apply for credit for cars, student loans, and other needs, they may find that their credit has been compromised with mortgages, credit cards and criminal records attached to their identities," the group said.

Dale L. Wilcox, executive director and general counsel of IRLI, said the findings also debunk the idea that illegal immigration is a victimless crime.

"Millions of Americans, in many cases children, are having their identities stolen to enable even more criminal activity," he said, according to the Examiner. "Illegal aliens should not reap Social Security benefits that result from the commission of identity theft."