DHS Expands Citizenship Checks, Alarm Over Privacy Risks

URGENT UPDATE: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has just announced a controversial plan to integrate state driver’s license data into a new federal citizenship verification system. This initiative, aimed at identifying noncitizens on voter rolls, has raised significant alarms among experts and privacy advocates regarding its potential far-reaching consequences.

The announcement, made public in a notice on October 20, 2023, reveals DHS’s intention to create a “one-stop shop” for citizenship checks by combining various confidential data sources. This major step follows the recent expansion of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system, which now includes Social Security, passport, and visa information. The incorporation of driver’s license data is expected to enable election officials to conduct bulk searches, even where Social Security numbers are absent, further complicating the landscape of voter registration.

Experts are voicing serious concerns. Michael Morse, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, emphasized that this system could be “the key that unlocks everything” in terms of voter verification. However, critics like Rachel Orey, director of the elections project at the Bipartisan Policy Center, warn that it could lead to innocent citizens being wrongly marked as noncitizens due to reused driver’s license numbers or outdated information.

In June, DHS reached out to the Texas Department of Public Safety to discuss a pilot program for this initiative. While Texas officials have stated they are not currently collaborating on any project regarding driver’s license data for registered voters, emails indicate that DHS is pushing for this integration. The implications of such a partnership, should it move forward, could be vast and troubling, especially concerning privacy and data accuracy.

DHS claims this expansion will enhance the accuracy and efficiency of verification processes. However, the potential for misuse of sensitive data has prompted advocacy groups to file lawsuits against the federal government, alleging violations of the Privacy Act. Critics argue that the government is overreaching by accumulating extensive personal data without sufficient safeguards.

In a recent voter roll check, Texas officials identified approximately 2,724 individuals, or 0.015% of the state’s voters, as potentially noncitizens. Yet, concerns have arisen regarding the accuracy of these findings. Christopher Davis, a Travis County voter registration director, revealed in court filings that around 25% of those flagged had already provided proof of citizenship, indicating a troubling potential for voter disenfranchisement.

As this situation develops, the implications for voter access and public trust in electoral processes could be dire. Advocates are urging immediate scrutiny of the DHS’s actions, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in how personal data is handled. The public is encouraged to comment on the proposed changes, but the urgency of this issue demands immediate attention from lawmakers and citizens alike.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds. The integration of driver’s license data into the SAVE system poses a significant crossroads for immigration enforcement and voter rights, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over citizenship verification in the U.S.