SAVE Launches Sponsor Deeming and Agency Reimbursement Initiative

On September 10, 2020 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will launch a new Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) initiative to help federal means-tested public benefit-granting agencies comply with federal laws, regulations and policies related to financial support of aliens by their sponsors and agency reimbursement.

This new sponsorship initiative stems from the May 23, 2019, Presidential Memorandum on Enforcing the Legal Responsibilities of Sponsors of Aliens, which directs increased oversight and data collection to ensure more effective compliance with sponsorship assessment and agency reimbursement requirements.

Sponsored aliens who apply for and receive means-tested public benefits from federal, state, local or tribal agencies, including Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Supplemental Security Income, may have their sponsor’s income and assets deemed to be part of the sponsored alien’s income and assets for the purpose of determining eligibility for these benefits.

If a sponsored alien receives a means-tested public benefit, the sponsor may also be responsible for reimbursing the agency providing the benefit. If a sponsor does not reimburse the agency upon request, the agency can then seek a court order for reimbursement.

SAVE encourages all agencies that administer federal means-tested public benefits to use the new SAVE sponsorship initiative functionality to manage and report their sponsorship and agency reimbursement decisions. 

For more information, please see the SAVE Sponsorship Guide (PDF, 829.18 KB), Affidavit of Support Sponsor Information Tip Sheet (PDF, 281.68 KB), and SAVE Search Cases Sponsorship Questions Tip Sheet (PDF, 812.25 KB).