Homeland Security Announces DOGE Overhaul of Immigration Database

The change is designed to prevent abuse of ‘outdated systems’ by illegal immigrants, according to the DHS.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security in Washington on Aug. 12, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

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A DHS spokesperson said the decision was a means to deal with illegal immigrants who “have exploited outdated systems to defraud Americans and taint our elections.”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.

DOGE, headed by Elon Musk, was created by President Donald Trump in January to identify and reduce fraud, waste, and abuse in the federal government.

The organization’s efforts have been met with legal challenges and mixed results in courts. While some federal judges have blocked DOGE’s access to systems operated by the Social Security Administration, Treasury, and Education Department, other judges have ruled that DOGE can proceed.

After Musk’s electric car company Tesla posted lower-than-anticipated revenue and profit during the first quarter of 2025, he said in a call with investors on Tuesday that he would spend less time working with DOGE and the Trump administration in May.

“Starting next month, I’ll be allocating far more of my time to Tesla, and now that the major work of establishing the Department of Government Efficiency is done,” the Tesla CEO said, adding that he will continue to support the administration’s efforts.

Reuters contributed to this report.