Verifying lawful status in an instant and at low cost
Project Update (last updated January 11, 2010)
The VLS Team continues to be very active with both the user community and government sponsor. Key activities and items of interest are as follows:
- Nevada has successfully completed the Verification of Lawful Status (VLS) certification and migrated the VLS functionality into production on January 10, 2010.
- USCIS and the VLS Team have identified enhancements to the VLS application that will allow the VLS application to better mirror the current SAVE capabilities and functionalities. Enhancements will include an additional transaction to electronically change the SAVE password, as well as provide additional data elements on the SAVE responses. Final effort and timelines are under negotiation.
Motor Vehicle Business Solution
AAMVA’s innovative Verification of Lawful Status (VLS) application, like other top-shelf AAMVA technologies, helps state motor vehicle agencies (MVAs) meet the ever growing demand for effective verification systems to combat document fraud activities. Specifically, VLS allows the MVA to verify an applicant’s lawful status prior to issuing a state-issued driver’s license or ID.
Developed specifically for MVA business systems, this application adheres to the demand for fast and precise driver’s license and ID credential transactions. It is integrated into existing MVA front-line support systems by leveraging the robust AAMVAnet infrastructure to provide a seamless interface between the MVA and the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program.
Pilot Participation
USCIS has authorized VLS to move out on the pilot effort and the VLS team is looking to expand the pilot effort to approximately ten (10) jurisdictions. As a reminder, USCIS and the VLS Team are asking each implementing jurisdiction to acknowledge that the current VLS implementation (v1) is a pilot and those participating will agree to implement an 'enhanced' VLS (v2) once it becomes available.
For those jurisdiction’s considering participating in the pilot effort, please review the ‘Cost’ and ‘Getting Started’ sections below for additional information that may impact the decision process.
Cost
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) charges the MVA directly for using the SAVE program. The USCIS charge is transaction-based and a link to the fee structure can be found on the SAVE Web site.
AAMVA does not impose a charge for using the VLS application.
AAMVA is still negotiating the funding for AAMVA to support the jurisdictional implementation. As a stop-gap, AAMVA offers a 'VLS Jurisdictional Certification Service' to those jurisdictions that are willing to fund the AAMVA support necessary to carry the jurisdiction through the VLS development, testing, and transition to production lifecycle. The service description and fee is documented in the AAMVA ‘Products and Services Catalog’.
DHS has categorized the ‘Jurisdictional Certification Service’ as an allowable expense for the jurisdiction’s Real ID grant monies. For those jurisdictions requiring specific permission from DHS, the VLS team has drafted generic language that the jurisdiction can tailor and submit to Darrell Williams (darrell.williams1@dhs.gov) for direct response. The generic language can be found here.
Getting Started
The VLS v1 application software and documentation are available from AAMVA. An MVA will receive instructions on how to download the AAMVA UNI component upgrade by sending a written request to: unihelpdesk@aamva.org. The VLS application documentation (System Specification and State Procedures Manual) can be downloaded from the documentation page.
AAMVA will provide the training, integration, and testing support needed to transition an MVA from integration to production and verify production status. Until USCIS funding is secured, the VLS team is asking that participating jurisdictions fund this AAMVA certification service. See the ‘Cost’ section above for more information.
All potential VLS application users are required to register for SAVE through USCIS before deploying the VLS application to a production environment and initiating lawful status queries. Additional information, including a link to begin the registration process, can be found on the SAVE Web site.
Reach out to an AAMVA contact for further information regarding the VLS application and implementation and/or reach out to DHS support for further information regarding the SAVE registration process.
Background
The USCIS operates the SAVE program. The SAVE program is an intergovernmental initiative designed to aid federal, state and local benefit-issuing agencies and licensing bureaus in verifying an applicant’s immigration status, thereby allowing the agencies or bureaus to ensure that only eligible applicants receive public benefits. These benefits are to include driver’s licenses, permits and identification cards.
The legislation that governs the use of SAVE is:
- Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
- Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996
- Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996
- The Real ID Act of 2005
Contacts
Tom Kubala, AAMVA Operations Manager, (703) 908-8269, tkubala@aamva.org
USCIS National Customer Service Center, (888) 464-4218, save.help@dhs.gov