WASHINGTON — The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has upgraded its Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, strengthening its ability to confirm immigration status and U.S. citizenship for state and local governments. The improvements aim to provide a more efficient and accessible method for election officials to verify voter eligibility and prevent noncitizens from participating in federal elections.
Under the updated system, agencies can now submit Social Security numbers—rather than requiring a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identifier—to check citizenship status. Additionally, the program now allows bulk case submissions, streamlining the verification process.
“States have long needed reliable tools to safeguard our elections from fraud,” said USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser. “Under President Trump and Secretary Noem’s leadership, we are taking decisive action to ensure only eligible voters participate. This is a critical step in restoring confidence in our electoral system.”
The enhancement follows recent DHS and USCIS efforts to optimize SAVE, reinforcing its role in election security. The program supports Executive Order 14248, Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections, by helping states verify voter registration records.
SAVE, managed by USCIS, is a key federal resource for verifying citizenship and immigration status. It assists government agencies in determining eligibility for public benefits, licenses, and voting.
Starting April 1, 2025, USCIS waived all fees for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments using SAVE for voter eligibility checks. Officials are encouraged to register for the program to help maintain accurate voter rolls.
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