Fact Check: "DHS's SAVE tool now verifies citizenship of U.S.-born citizens."
What We Know
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operates the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, which is primarily designed to verify the immigration status of individuals applying for public benefits. According to the DHS, the SAVE program does not verify the citizenship status of U.S.-born citizens. Instead, it focuses on non-citizens and their eligibility for various benefits. The verification process involves checking the immigration status of applicants against federal databases, which do not include records of U.S.-born citizens, as they are automatically considered citizens by birthright under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Analysis
The claim that the SAVE tool can verify the citizenship of U.S.-born citizens is misleading and fundamentally incorrect. The SAVE program is designed to assist government agencies in determining the eligibility of non-citizens for public benefits, not to verify the citizenship of individuals who are already recognized as citizens by birth. The DHS website explicitly states that the program is not intended for this purpose.
Furthermore, the reliability of the sources making this claim should be scrutinized. If the claim originates from a non-official or anecdotal source, it lacks the credibility of official government documentation. The information provided by the DHS is authoritative and should be considered the definitive source regarding the functions of the SAVE program. Claims that contradict established government guidelines without substantial evidence should be treated with skepticism.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The assertion that DHS's SAVE tool verifies the citizenship of U.S.-born citizens is incorrect. The SAVE program is focused on verifying the immigration status of non-citizens and does not have the capability or purpose to verify citizenship for individuals who are U.S. citizens by birth.
