I didn't get my social security number until I was 13 or 14 and it wasn't in the all caps format back then if memory serves me but it had my full legal name. I still have the card but it was so worn from being carried in my wallet for 50 years or so the numbers were where it couldn't be read any longer. It was styled properly with only the first letter of each name capitalized and the rest of the letters lower case.
A couple of years ago I had to get a replacement card and went to the local SS office to get a new card and the new card had an error when it was printed. My middle name is also Stephen like yours but it was spelled on the card as STEVEN on the card. I didn't catch it until I started to walk away from the little window but I turned around promptly and informed the agent that it was incorrect.
The lady told me that that is the way it is listed in the system, even though the name on the original card was spelled Stephen and was still legible when you look at the card.

I know how that happened but I didn't share it with her. Evidently the SS system didn't want to have to manually input all the names and social security numbers into their computer system so they pulled information from any and all government lists back then that had names and social security numbers with them.

Back in the early 80's when I got my occupational license I decided I didn't like the spelling of my middle name and I filled in the form as "Steven" that was the only time I ever did that, normally I just used my middle initial. So that is where SS got that information and plugged it into their system.
The lady told me that she couldn't change the spelling without me bringing in a certified copy of my birth certificate. I haven't gone back and done that yet, the day I was there I waited four hours to get the new card, I didn't have four hours to waste then and I damn sure don't right now.
So right now I have 3 identities in reality, the living me and the Stephen and STEVEN ones.

It is amazing that an original birth certificate isn't legal for ID purposes only a certified copy of it is.

Which brings up a good case for falsification of government records, your original had the named styled in proper case but the certified copy has the name in all capital letters so there is no way that the copy could be an accurate copy of the original. Just another case of prepping the sheep for shearing as you put it.

I also have to travel in south Texas and the border patrol check points are always a pain in the ass. I too never admit to being a US citizen. I have a routine I go through when I am approaching them and it works pretty well for the last few years.
I put a big chaw of Redman in and get a big wad of spit in my mouth and put my cowboy hat on. When I roll down the window for the agent to ask me if I am a US citizen, I pause for a second or so, then pick up my spit cup and and spit the tobacco juice out, I turn my head toward the window, "I'm a Texan."
In the dozen or so times that I have started using that routine the agent has always said "Have a nice day" and waved me through with the exception of one time. That time the second time the agent asked me if I was a US citizen, I replied, "I'm a Texan, so you tell me, doesn't that make me a US citizen?" his reply, "Have a good day sir." and waved me through.
I guess questioning him on his knowledge was enough to have him just let it go. He probably thinks that is case and he didn't want to hold up the line. Driving a Ford pickup truck too helps paint the good picture, Ford pickups are damn near the official vehicles of old crusty Texans.

The light needs to be shined, the sad part is it gets dimmer each day as the young folks get more and more distracted with games and apps.