DHS Rule Requires Voter Citizenship Verification for Federal Funds

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented new rules for states applying for federal funds through the National Security Grant Program (HSGP). A key requirement is the mandatory use of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system to confirm the U.S. citizenship of all registered voters.

This initiative, originally part of the Trump administration's strategy to bolster electoral infrastructure against threats, mandates that state, territorial, tribal, and local governments meet specific conditions to receive the full grant amounts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will withhold 20% of the allocated funds until beneficiaries provide validated proof of compliance.

The SAVE system, managed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is designed to verify an individual's eligibility for public programs. Under the new guidelines, grant recipients must use this platform to review their voter registration records within 120 days of accepting the grant. The DHS stated the goal is to ensure only eligible U.S. citizens are listed on voter rolls.

The DHS announcement also references a legal case, League of Women Voters v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where a federal judge in June invalidated modifications to the SAVE system, citing violations of privacy and administrative procedure laws. The government has appealed this decision. Despite this, the DHS maintains that jurisdictions can submit additional information to USCIS for further checks on federal immigration records if documentation is unclear.

While the article mentions Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, it does not include his direct quote or further details on his statement regarding these new controls.