Alien Registration Number Verification via the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service's Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements System

摘要

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implications of conducting high-volume automated checks of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Systematic Allen Verification for Entitlements System (SAVE) to vet alien registration numbers of applicants for security clearances and government credentials. Of the 9,983 subjects submitted for alien registration number verification, 4% or 417 could not be verified. The majority of the unverified subjects were military applicants (n=323 or 77.4% of unverified subjects). While the majority of investigation outcomes for unverified subjects were classified as 'unknown,' 89 subjects were adjudicated as eligible for access to classified information. Reasons for discrepancies in the ARN verifications could be explained for 53 of these subjects, but 31 cases did not contain comments that would allow understanding of the differing results. Two of the 89 unverified subjects' case summaries were too sparse to classify in any way; 8 had an unfavorable INS check or no record was found, neither of which was elaborated; and 25 appeared to have had no INS check. Many subjects with unverified ARNs reported the United States as their place of birth. Findings point out the importance of fully resolving legal immigration status in background investigations. Recommendations for resolving discrepancies are provided.