SAVE System

The SAVE system is used to obtain immigration status information from the USCIS. This information is needed for EWs to determine a noncitizen applicant's eligibility for benefits.

When is SAVE Generated

If the applicant’s Alien Number (USCIS #) is present on the A Number field on the Individual Demographics Detail page,Individual Demographics Detail page, a batch transaction is automatically generated to request SAVE information when:

Application Registration is completed, or
A new person is added to an active case.

Note: SAVE report will NOT be auto-generated if the A Number field is BLANK.

SAVE information can also be manually requested by:

Completing a “SAVE Request for Overnight INS Response” online transaction completed by an MEDS Online Operator.

Refer to CalSAWS "Job Aid (JA) IEVS Applicant Abstracts and SAVE", for detailed information.

Refer to CP HB Chapter 7, for detailed descriptions and requirements of the SAVE program.

MEDS Electronic SAVE Verification Process

MEDS automatically submits a record to SAVE system as the second level verification process when the immigration status is not verified in the initial level verification response from SAVE via CalSAWS batch process at application registration or adding a person to an active case. Within three to five working days, SAVE will return the second level verification response which will be sent to CalSAWS via MEDS. MEDS will also retrieve and display the detailed SAVE verification response on the SAVE Detail Response [SAVR] Screen with the latest status.

MEDS also submits a record to SAVE to verify immigration status when:

Adding an alien number to a MEDS record,
Changing an alien number (i.e. invalid/duplicate Alien # removed and a valid one updated), or
Changing a DOB that has a previously verified alien number.

Refer to MEDS HB Chapter 12, for Alien Sponsor Status codes.

Search SAVE Verification Response in MEDS

MEDS users can use the following steps to search or retrieve a SAVE verification response:

From the blank MEDS screen, type ISAV and press Enter. The SAVE Inquiry Request screen SAVE Inquiry Request screen displays.
1. Enter the client’s alien number, MEDS-ID, or CIN, and date of birth.
2. Press Enter. The SAVE Detail Response Screen displays.
MEDS will retrieve and display the detailed SAVE verification response information from the SAVE database. The latest status and one of the four (4) online messages below for the case can be viewable on the SAVE Detail Response Screen [SAVR].
1. [SAVR] screen will display the date that the case was originally initiated by the county, along with the detailed response information if the SAVE case is found in the SAVE database and the case has Status of: "IV COMPLETE" or "AR COMPLETE".

An Online Message "VERIFICATION COMPLETED MM/DD/YY" "VERIFICATION COMPLETED MM/DD/YY" appears on the bottom of the screen.

[SAVR] will display this message when NO SAVE case Information is found in the database. An Online Message "CASE INFORMATION NOT FOUND" "CASE INFORMATION NOT FOUND" appears on the bottom of the screen.
[SAVR] screen will display the most recent case information and message when initial verification was not successful or case was successfully submitted for additional verification. An Online Message “CASE Escalated for Additional Step Verification MM/DD/YY.” and "RESPONSE PENDING" appears on the bottom of the screen.
[SAVR] screen will display the most recent case information and message where status is: AR ESCALATED" When a case is escalated for third step verification.

An Online Message “CASE Escalated for Third Step Verification MM/DD/YY.” and "CHECK DHS WEBSITE" appears on the bottom of the screen.

SAVE Request for Overnight INS Response

The “SAVE Request for Overnight INS Response” online transaction is only a SAVE transaction that is used to directly request alien status information from the SAVE database and its response can be retrieved from MEDS via Search SAVE Verification Response in MEDS in the section above. The SAVE online transaction is performed by MTOs.

Another method to obtain the SAVE verification response is to contact MEDS Coordinator and provide the client’s name, date of birth and alien number and the processed date of the online transaction.

To complete the SAVE online transaction, sign on to MEDS and do the following:

From a blank screen, type “SAVE” and press Enter.
The Save Request for Overnight INS Response screen Save Request for Overnight INS Response screen appears.
Enter required fields: ALIEN-NUMBER, LAST-NAME, FIRST-NAME, BIRTHDATE, CASE-NUM-NAME, and WORKER.

There is real time access to SAVE which is outside MEDS and can be accessed via the following address https://save.uscis.gov/web.

Refer to CP HB Chapter 7 how to request an online SAVE report.

SAVE System

When is SAVE Generated

MEDS Electronic SAVE Verification Process

SAVE Request for Overnight INS Response

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