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119-hr-8635119th Congress

VERIFY Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]

Introduced

Summary

Modernize the SAVE program so agencies get faster, more accurate immigration-verification responses. It would push for near-real-time status updates, wider data sharing, and stronger accuracy and privacy safeguards.

Show full summary
  • Families and benefit applicants: Immigration status changes must appear in SAVE within 24 hours of being recorded in the originating system, so eligibility checks use near-real-time information.
  • Government agencies: Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies get expanded API access and updated data-sharing agreements with the Social Security Administration and others, and no fee may be charged for SAVE queries.
  • USCIS and program oversight: USCIS must submit a SAVE modernization plan within 180 days and the Inspector General must audit accuracy and timeliness every year. Automated reconciliation and identity-matching can be used but cannot be the sole basis for adverse eligibility determinations and must undergo regular bias and accuracy testing with summaries to Congress.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New rules for sharing immigration data

If enacted, the Secretary would integrate SAVE with DHS arrival and departure systems and update memoranda of understanding with the Social Security Administration and other federal agencies to share data where allowed by law. The bill would encourage voluntary agreements with State vital records agencies for birth and death verification when legally permissible. SAVE would notify querying agencies when an individual's immigration status materially changes in a way that matters for eligibility, and notifications would follow federal privacy rules. The law would limit SAVE to only the data needed for eligibility and bar using SAVE for general law enforcement or non-immigration criminal databases. These rules would take effect one year after enactment.

Faster status checks for agencies

If enacted, the Secretary would send a SAVE modernization plan to Congress within 180 days. The plan would describe technology upgrades, user training, and performance goals. Operational changes would start one year after enactment and SAVE would be updated to reflect status changes within 24 hours when recorded in source systems. Automated tools could be used to reconcile data, but no adverse eligibility decision could be made only by automation and human review would be required for contested or negative results. The DHS Inspector General would audit SAVE each year and the Secretary would have 90 days to send a corrective action plan if material problems are found; continued non-compliance could lead Congress to limit funds or pause SAVE queries until fixed.

No fees for government immigration checks

If enacted, Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies would not be charged any fee to submit verification queries through SAVE. This would reduce operating costs for public agencies that rely on SAVE. The fee prohibition would take effect one year after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]

IN • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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