The change is designed to prevent abuse of ‘outdated systems’ by illegal immigrants, according to the DHS.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is working with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to optimize an immigration-related database and prevent exploitation by illegal immigrants.
DHS did not provide many specifics on the plan, saying only that DOGE will work to “overhaul” aspects of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database, an online service used by state, local, and federal officials to verify the immigration status of individuals seeking benefits or licenses, including driver’s licenses and Social Security payments.
“This overhaul eliminates fees for database searches, breaks down silos for accurate results, streamlines mass status checks, and integrates criminal records, immigration timelines, and addresses,” the DHS said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Automatic status updates and a user-friendly interface will empower federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal agencies to prevent non-citizens from exploiting taxpayer benefits or voting illegally.”
A DHS spokesperson said the decision was a means to deal with illegal immigrants who “have exploited outdated systems to defraud Americans and taint our elections.”
“Under Secretary [Kristi] Noem’s leadership, this revamped SAVE system will ensure government officials can swiftly verify legal status, halting entitlements and voter fraud,” the spokesperson said in the statement.
Other than DOGE, DHS said it will also work with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency responsible for dealing with naturalization, green card applications, and other immigration benefits.
Several days ago, the Supreme Court temporarily barred the Trump administration from deporting a group of Venezuelan nationals alleged to be gang members under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.
The court issued the decision after lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union asked it to intervene on an emergency basis, saying dozens of illegal immigrants faced imminent deportation without the judicial review the justices previously ordered. The Trump administration has since filed court papers urging the high court to lift the order.
The DHS announcement also comes as the agency and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) signed a memorandum of understanding to start information-sharing to aid in enforcing immigration laws.
