Image Credit: Tennessee Secretary of State / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett announced on Monday his office is referring 42 “potential non-U.S. citizens who voted” for investigation by the FBI after reportedly comparing over four million voter records through the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program.
Per the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Bureau (USCIS), the SAVE program provides “point in time” immigration status and U.S. citizenship information to government agencies to help them “make accurate decisions for applicants seeking benefits and licenses.”
SAVE can supposedly verify an applicant’s immigration status or citizenship, including naturalized, acquired, and U.S.-born within seconds. It does not determine the eligibility of a person to receive benefits or licenses, as that determination is made by the agency issuing the benefits/license, but it does allow immigration statuses to be obtained almost immediately, thereby helping agencies rule out applicants who are not eligible, like illegal aliens.
The program is used by approximately 1,200 agencies nationwide including those that provide health care or social security benefits, education grants and assistance, state driver’s licenses or ID cards, and occupational and professional licenses. In fiscal year 2023, USCIS reported over 21.5 million verifications through SAVE.
“I am thankful that the federal government has offered this enhanced service,” said Secretary Hargett. “By working with our federal partners and using the enhanced SAVE program, we are taking proactive steps to ensure the integrity of Tennessee’s voter rolls.”
Secretary Hargett received a letter from President Trump commending the state for being one of the first to use SAVE and Hargett’s “commitment to safeguarding American elections.”
“The right of American citizens to have their votes properly counted, without illegal dilution, is a prerequisite for our Government to truly be representative,” the letter read. “Despite pioneering self-government nearly 250 years ago, however, many States are currently failing to enforce basic and necessary election laws. As you well know, safeguarding our elections is a dual responsibility of the States and the Federal Government. This vital mission requires our partnership to be based on mutual trust and a shared commitment to our constitutional responsibilities. My Administration has provided robust resources to all 50 states to fulfill their responsibility in this area-and I expect your state will continue to use them wisely.”
President Trump also reiterated in his letter that per his Executive Order 14248 Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections, SAVE has now been made free of charge for usage by all state governments to help them “ensure only American citizens are registered to cast a ballot.”
Hargett thanked the President in return for, “providing and enhancing this game-changing tool to protect our voter rolls… The collaborative spirit and speed with which your administration improved SAVE and made it available is unprecedented. This partnership strengthens Tennessee’s ability to safeguard election integrity.”
He also encouraged other states to follow Tennessee’s lead in utilizing SAVE to protect the votes of their citizens. The 42 names have been referred to the FBI for investigation and possible enforcement action as voter fraud is a felony which can carry jail time and/or fines.
While the Secretary of State may laud Tennessee for its supposed election integrity measures, citizens still carry concerns over the safety and security of elections in the state, especially regarding open primaries and vulnerabilities with electronic voting machines.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
