VERIFY Act of 2026

This bill, known as the VERIFY Act of 2026, aims to significantly modernize and improve the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. It directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enhance the program's accuracy, timeliness, and reliability in verifying immigration status. Key modernization efforts include upgrading query processing infrastructure, implementing automated data reconciliation, and expanding API access for authorized agencies.

To improve data flow, the bill mandates that changes to an individual's immigration status be reflected in SAVE within 24 hours and requires integration with other relevant DHS systems. It also facilitates data sharing with federal agencies like the Social Security Administration and encourages agreements with state vital records agencies. Importantly, the bill establishes post-verification status change alerts for querying agencies and strictly limits the SAVE program's data scope to eligibility verification, prohibiting its use for general law enforcement or non-immigration criminal history databases.

While allowing the use of automated tools for data reconciliation and error reduction, the bill stipulates that no adverse eligibility determination can be made solely on automation, requiring human review for contested cases. It also prohibits charging any fees to federal, state, local, or tribal government agencies for using the SAVE program. Finally, the legislation mandates a modernization plan from DHS, annual audits by the DHS Inspector General, and corrective action plans for any identified non-compliance, ensuring robust oversight and accountability.