The United States government is implementing measures to ensure that all non-citizens and immigrants living in the country have legal status. The Department of Homeland Security, in collaboration with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Department of Government Efficiency, is updating the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database. This update is intended to create a single, accurate, and reliable source for verifying the immigration status of non-citizens across the country.
As part of the overhaul, fees for database searches are being eliminated, and the system is being enhanced to allow more efficient and accurate verification. The improved system integrates criminal records, immigration history, and address data to streamline mass status checks and ensure that information is up to date. The updated platform also includes a user-friendly interface and automatic status updates, making it easier for government agencies at all levels—including federal, state, municipal, territorial, and tribal—to access necessary immigration status information.
The intent of the system enhancements is to help prevent unlawful voting and misuse of public benefits by individuals who do not have legal status in the country. The SAVE program itself is an online service used by authorized government agencies to verify the immigration status and U.S. citizenship of individuals applying for public benefits or licenses. It does not make determinations about eligibility for those benefits, which remains the responsibility of the agency administering them.
Administered by USCIS, part of the Department of Homeland Security, the SAVE program plays a role in ensuring accurate and lawful distribution of public resources.
In addition, federal efforts have extended beyond system improvements. Policies require that all individuals who entered the U.S. without proper inspection and have not had contact with immigration authorities register with the government. Those who do not comply may face legal consequences.
Legal immigrants are also affected by these policies. They are now required to carry registration documents at all times once issued by the Department of Homeland Security. These documents are provided following registration and fingerprinting, unless the individual is specifically exempt.
