The United States (U.S) government agencies will now be able to use social security numbers to verify individuals’ citizenship.
As part of its upgrade, this change from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), comes in the form of updates to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) programme, regarded as an improvement that simplifies the process and enables the identification of non-citizens on voter rolls.
This latest development follows the Department of Homeland Security’s recent SAVE optimisation initiative, undertaken in collaboration with USCIS and the Department of Justice’s Office of General Elections (DOGE).
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The move is to strengthen election security across the United States.
The changes are designed to provide state and local authorities with a single, dependable source for verifying U.S. citizenship and immigration status.
Previously, agencies relied on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identifiers, which were often inaccessible to local authorities.
“For years, states have pleaded for tools to help identify and stop aliens from hijacking our elections,” stated Matthew Tragesser, USCIS spokesman. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Noem, USCIS is moving quickly to eliminate voter fraud. We expect further improvements soon and remain committed to restoring trust in American elections.”
One of the key features of the enhanced SAVE system is its new integration with the Social Security Administration. This partnership allows multiple verification cases to be submitted simultaneously, a first for the programme, as it streamlines operations for local election officials.
The overall effort reflects a broader push to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and support the enforcement of Executive Order 14248, Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections.
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SAVE, a longstanding federal tool administered by USCIS, is essential for confirming the lawful immigration and citizenship status of individuals applying for public benefits, including those related to voting. It serves federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies nationwide.
Effective April 1, 2025, USCIS has waived all user fees for state, local, and tribal governments seeking to use SAVE for voter eligibility verification purposes. The agency has encouraged all state and local authorities to register for the programme to ensure accurate and lawful voter registration processes.
With further enhancements expected in the coming months, USCIS has reaffirmed its commitment to equipping election officials with the technological infrastructure necessary to uphold public confidence in American democracy.
