State Department to ask for bonds of up to $15,000 for visa applications from a dozen more countries
The U.S. State Department on Wednesday expanded its list of countries whose citizens will be required to post bonds of up to $15,000 to apply for U.S. business or tourist visas. The department added 12 nations to the growing list — Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles and Tunisia. Starting April 2, passport holders from these countries must pay a bond of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000, which is refunded if the visa application is denied or, if granted, the traveler complies with the terms of the B1 or B2 visa. TRUMP ADMIN EXPANDS VISA BOND REQUIREMENT TO 38 COUNTRIES, WITH FEES UP TO $15K The cost of the bond depends on the applicant’s circumstances and is determined at the discretion of a consular officer during the visa interview. The requirement was first rolled out by the Trump administration last year, as part of an effort to crack down on visa overstays and illegal immigration, according to officials. TRUMP ADMIN HIT WITH FEDERAL LAWSUIT OVER IMMIGRANT VISA BAN AFFECTING 75 COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE With the latest additions, citizens from 50 countries will be subject to the bond requirement beginning April 2, although the policy has already been in effect for most of them. The majority of the countries are in Africa, which officials say have higher visa overstay rates, though the list also includes nations in Asia, Latin America and elsewhere. “The visa bond program has already proven effective at drastically reducing the number of visa recipients who overstay their visas and illegally remain in the United States,” the department said in a statement. Nearly 97% of the roughly 1,000 individuals who posted bonds complied with visa terms and did not overstay, according to the department. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Former counterterrorism chief Joe Kent under FBI investigation for alleged classified leaks
The FBI is investigating former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent over allegations that he leaked classified information, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The probe predates Kent’s departure from government, sources told Fox News Digital. The FBI declined Fox News’ request for comment. Fox News Digital has reached out to Kent by phone and email for comment. TOP COUNTERTERRORISM OFFICIAL RESIGNS IN PROTEST OF US WAR AGAINST IRAN Kent resigned Tuesday from his role as the nation’s top counterterrorism official, citing opposition to the U.S. war against Iran. In a public statement, Kent said he “cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war,” arguing that Iran posed no imminent threat and that the conflict marked a break from the administration’s prior approach to avoiding prolonged wars in the Middle East. A senior administration official previously told Fox News Digital that Kent was a “known leaker” who had been cut out of intelligence briefings months before his resignation. OUSTED HEGSETH AIDE RESURFACES IN INTEL ROLE AS IRAN WAR SPARKS INTERNAL STRAIN It is unclear whether the FBI investigation is related to those concerns or to a separate matter. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Kent, a former Army Green Beret and CIA paramilitary officer, was appointed to lead the National Counterterrorism Center in early 2025. He is a Gold Star spouse. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Fox News Digital’s Ashley Carnahan and Morgan Phillips contributed to this reporting.
Immigration judge orders deportation of NYC Council employee after ICE arrest; city leaders push back
An immigration judge has ordered the deportation of a former New York City Council employee federal officials said in January was an undocumented immigrant with a prior assault arrest. City Council Speaker Julie Menin announced the deportation ruling on Wednesday, condemning it as a “miscarriage of justice and wholly deplorable” and pledging to fight back by filing an appeal. Two months ago, Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, 53, was detained during an immigration appointment and was identified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a Venezuelan “criminal illegal alien” who overstayed his visa. Federal officials said despite having no work authorization, Rubio Bohorquez was employed by the New York City council as a data analyst for roughly one year. DHS EXPOSES BACKGROUND OF NYC COUNCIL EMPLOYEE AFTER MENDINI FUMED OVER ARREST Local officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Menin, strongly disputed DHS claims, stressing that Rubio Bohorquez had legal authorization to remain in the U.S., including the right to work. “Today, Judge Conroy ordered the removal of Rafael Rubio, our City Council employee, from the United States,” Menin said. “We are outraged and will continue to pursue every legal avenue to secure his release and ensure his case is properly heard on appeal.” “This is an affront to justice,” Mamdani added in a post on X. “A dedicated public servant with legal authorization to remain in the country, Rafael showed up for a routine immigration appointment and, despite following the rules, he was detained and has now been held for months.” DHS DEMANDS LETITIA JAMES TAKE ACTION OVER NEW YORK’S REFUSAL TO HONOR ICE DETAINERS Rubio Bohorquez entered the United States on a B2 tourist visa in 2017, which required him to depart the same year, according to DHS. Menin said the staff member had been cleared to remain in the country until October 2026. She further called his immigration order a “technical error” related to his asylum application. The staffer reportedly had a missing signature on his papers and was denied the opportunity to rectify it, a process Rubio Bohorquez’s lawyer said would only take one hour, the New York Post reported, citing Menin. “Today’s ruling appears to hinge on a procedural issue related to his asylum application,” Menin added. “That is extremely troubling. A technical error should not determine the fate of a man who has done everything right and poses no risk to anyone.” Local officials added they will file an appeal and demanded Rubio Bohorquez’s immediate release until the legal proceedings are completed. “Let me be clear: Rafael should not continue to be detained while this is sorted out,” Menin said. “An appeal will be filed, and we demand that Rafael’s case be properly heard by the deadline on April 17. At a minimum, he should be released pending that appeal. There is no justification for continuing to hold him under these circumstances.” Fox News Digital reached out to the DHS for more information.
GOP overperforms in Virginia special election, fueling early momentum talk in blue-trending state
A Republican running in a Virginia special election significantly outperformed expectations Tuesday night, sparking chatter on social media that Republicans could have momentum in the blue-trending state where Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger has faced backlash for her progressive agenda since taking office. In the race to replace Republican Virginia House District 98 Delegate Barry Knight, who died of cancer last month, Andrew Rice defeated Democrat Cheryl Smith by 25 points in a climate where voters in the commonwealth have been turning to Democrats in recent elections. Conservatives on social media were quick to point out that Rice, who, despite holding onto a Republican seat, outperformed the candidate for Republican governor, Winsome Earle-Sears, in November and outperformed President Donald Trump’s 2024 total by 10 points, sparking belief in possible GOP momentum and backlash toward Spanberger. “Republican Andrew Rice is currently ahead +29 in a district that was Sears +7 in November,” conservative commentator Greg Price posted on X. “A 22 point swing to the GOP.” MIGRANT ACCUSED OF GROPING MULTIPLE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS FACES CHARGES AS DHS WARNS SPANBERGER AGAINST RELEASE “Radical Dems are overreaching in Virginia & voters have noticed,” Republican Virginia House of Delegates member Tim Griffin posted on X. “Big REPUBLICAN WIN in Virginia tonight, congrats Delegate-Elect Rice!” “The momentum is REAL, and Virginians are paying attention and are fed up with the progressive liberal agenda trying to take over our Commonwealth,” Virginia Rep. Jen Kiggans posted on X. “Whoa!” Kerry Dougherty, co-host of a Virginia Beach radio show and longtime journalist, posted on X. “This is a red district but looks like backlash against our insane governor and the left-wing nuts in the General Assembly. Congratulations to Andrew Rice. A determined prosecutor (which will make the lefties crazy).” VIRGINIA DEMS SEND SWEEPING GUN BAN TO SPANBERGER AS WEST VIRGINIA WEIGHS EXPANDING MACHINE-GUN ACCESS Also at play is what Virginia elections analyst Sam Shirazi called the “elephant in the room” on his “Federal Fallout” podcast. “I think one explanation of what happened is the Republicans are fired up, and they’re upset about the redistricting referendum,” Shirzi said about Rice’s victory and a possible connection to an April referendum that would trigger a mid-cycle redrawing of the state’s congressional map to heavily favor Democrats. “Potentially, they could also be generally upset at what’s been going on in Richmond since the Democrats took over in January. So, perhaps they’re upset with some of the bills that have been passed.” Reacting to Rice’s victory, Republican Virginia Delegate Karen Hamilton posted on X, “If we could get some funds, we can win this redistricting fight in Virginia and secure the midterms for @POTUS.” “Republicans in Virginia are overperforming so strongly that the gerrymander attempt is suddenly looking much riskier for Dems,” conservative commentator and writer Ben Braddock posted on X. Spanberger has faced some intense criticism from conservatives since taking office in January, particularly over the allegation she campaigned as a “moderate” candidate but quickly began implementing a radical agenda as soon as she took office. Since taking office, Spanberger has ended state cooperation with ICE, reduced mandatory minimum sentencing, raised taxes and prioritized DEI in government contracts, Fox News Digital reported in January. Fox News Digital reached out to Spanberger’s office for comment. Fox News Digital’s Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.
GOP blocks Booker-led push to curb Trump’s military authority in Iran
Senate Republicans blocked yet another bid by Senate Democrats to handcuff President Donald Trump’s war authority in Iran in what could be an avalanche of similar moves to break through the GOP’s floor takeover. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., triggered one of several war powers resolutions Senate Democrats have tucked away in their bid to compel Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to testify publicly about Trump’s war in Iran. Booker told Fox News Digital before the vote he was not thinking “about this in politics” or breaking through the GOP’s floor tactics, but instead to refocus on issues that Trump promised to deal with on the campaign trail. GOP TRIGGERS MARATHON SENATE FIGHT TO EXPOSE DEMS’ OPPOSITION TO TRUMP-BACKED VOTER ID BILL “We need to focus on what the issues of the people are and put before them a president who promised to bring your prices down and keep us out of wars, who is now bringing us into more wars and driving up our prices as a result,” Booker said. “The question is, what should Congress do as a result?” But, as with Democratic Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine’s attempt earlier this month, Republicans rallied behind the president to block the bill. Still, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and nearly every Senate Democrat tried to curtail Trump’s use of the military in the Middle East. Only Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., broke from Democrats to kill the resolution. TOM COTTON PUTS BIDEN ON NOTICE WHILE DEMANDING ANSWERS ON DRAINING OF NATION’S OIL STOCKPILE It likely won’t be the last war powers resolution to hit the floor this week, given that a cohort of Senate Democrats have four others teed up. Their resolutions would direct an immediate end to fighting with Iran and removal of forces in the region. Republicans have pushed back against Democrats’ demands that Rubio and Hegseth appear on the Hill for hearings and argued that they have consistently briefed lawmakers in classified settings and spoken with the media about the war. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who has lauded the administration’s continued strikes in Iran, told Fox News Digital he believed Democrats’ continued use of war powers resolutions was “an abuse of the process, and I’m tired of it.” DEMOCRATS THREATEN TO GRIND SENATE TO A HALT TO FORCE PUBLIC IRAN HEARINGS “I think they’re impeding the war effort. We’ve spoken on this,” Graham said. “I find it to be cheap politics.” Still, Iran’s chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a flashpoint in the conflict with concerns over oil prices and possible ground troop involvement rising. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said the nation’s war planners were doing a “masterful job” and kneecapping Iran’s offensive capabilities, adding that Trump was well within his authority as president to carry out Operation Epic Fury. “The Strait of Hormuz, obviously, is an issue that we’re all paying a lot of attention to,” Thune said. “But I feel confident that the administration and those who are leading our military efforts there ultimately will be successful in getting things open up there.”
GOP gubernatorial hopeful hails legendary golfer for hefty campaign donation: ‘Incredibly honored’
Phil Mickelson, the three-time Masters champion, made a hefty campaign donation to Steve Hilton, a Republican candidate for governor in California, as he wages a bid to become the state’s first Republican to win the state’s top political job in over 20 years. The political contribution is rare for the professional golfer. At the federal level, Mickelson appears to have only made one other notable donation in 1994: a $700 gift to former U.S. Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., according to the Federal Election Commission. Mickelson also doesn’t appear to have donated to other candidates in California, per the state’s campaign finance records. However, Hilton, an ex-businessman, author, podcaster and former TV host with Fox News, did get his attention. SWALWELL GOVERNOR BID HIT WITH RESIDENCY QUESTIONS AFTER COURT FILING ALLEGES HE DOESN’T LIVE IN CALIFORNIA “Steve Hilton can/will save California,” Mickelson, who moved to Florida in 2020 after complaining about California’s high taxes, said in a X post earlier this month, reacting to promises from Hilton to end Democrat-led climate energy mandates. Hilton has attracted $6.2 million in contributions, beating out the support of several top Democrats in the race to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom, according to California’s Secretary of State. Notably, his contributions exceed the war chests of all but two Democratic candidates: former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. Hilton said he appreciated Mickelson’s support and framed it as part of broader momentum behind his candidacy. “I’m incredibly honored to have Phil’s support, and we’ve had some great conversations about the future of California and how much we love this state and want to save it and make it a beautiful, spectacular place with the right leadership,” Hilton said. “It’s time to clean [California] up and I’m building a really broad movement for change and I am very confident that we can win in November.” His donations exceed those of former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., and Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., who have raised $5.8 and $5.6 million, respectively. GOLF LEGEND PHIL MICKELSON WEIGHS IN ON ALLEGED FRAUD IN CALIFORNIA Arguing that California has suffered under a “one-party rule” for too long, Hilton has pitched his campaign as a chance to recapture California’s legacy of productivity and entrepreneurialism — an ethos he describes as emblematic of the country’s ideals. “In 2012, we moved to California, the ultimate expression of America — or it should be,” Hilton said in a campaign launch video. “This is not just any other state. California means to America what America means to the world. Let’s make California the land of opportunity again. There’s only one way to do that. We’ve got to end the one-party rule that got us into this mess.” Hilton will face off against a crowd of other gubernatorial hopefuls in the June 2 California primary. The top finalists will advance to a general election in November. Early voting begins on May 4, according to the California Secretary of State website.
Gabbard sidesteps Iran ‘imminent threat’ claim under Senate grilling
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declined to say whether intelligence showed that Iran posed an “imminent threat” to the U.S. prior to the launch of recent offensive operations, as President Donald Trump repeatedly has asserted. “Was it the assessment of the intelligence community that there was an ‘imminent nuclear threat’ posed by the Iranian regime? Yes or no?” Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., asked Gabbard during the Senate Intelligence Committee’s annual worldwide threats hearing Wednesday. “The only person who can determine what is and is not an imminent threat is the president,” Gabbard said. TRUMP RESURFACES OLD TWEET FROM INTEL OFFICIAL WHO RESIGNED The White House has repeatedly argued Iran’s nuclear stockpiles and ballistic missile capacity pose an imminent threat to the U.S. “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” Trump said March 1. Ossoff pressed Gabbard further Wednesday: “Was it the intelligence community’s assessment … there was an ‘imminent nuclear threat’? Yes or no?” “It is not the intelligence community’s responsibility to determine what is and is not an imminent threat,” Gabbard said. Gabbard highlighted the impact of U.S. operations in Iran. “The IC assesses that Operation Epic Fury is advancing fundamental change in the region,” she said. Iran’s “conventional military power projection capabilities have largely been destroyed, leaving limited options. Iran’s strategic position has been significantly degraded.” Her refusal to directly answer comes one day after Trump’s director at the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, resigned after publicly stating he did not believe Iran posed an imminent threat. CIA Director John Ratcliffe struck a more assertive tone at the hearing. “Is there anything to indicate that Iran had ceased in its nuclear ambitions or in its desire to continue to build ballistic missiles capable of threatening American troops and allies in the Middle East?” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, asked him. “No. In fact, the intelligence reflects the contrary,” Ratcliffe said. “So you disagree with Mr. Kent?” Cornyn asked. “I do,” Ratcliffe said. TRUMP BIDS GOODBYE TO INTEL OFFICIAL WHO RESIGNED OVER IRAN: ‘GOOD THING THAT HE’S OUT’ “I think Iran has been a constant threat to the United States for an extended period of time and posed an immediate threat at this time,” he later added. Top administration officials have argued that Iran was building up its missile stockpiles to a point where foreign powers could no longer effectively intervene. Iran is not believed to currently possess missiles capable of reaching the U.S. homeland, but Trump has said the Islamic Republic is working toward that capability. “They attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing long range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas and could soon reach the American homeland,” Trump said. The Defense Intelligence Agency said in May 2025 that Iran could develop a long-range missile capable of reaching the U.S. by 2035. Russia, China and North Korea, some of Iran’s closest allies, already possess intercontinental ballistic missiles. Iran possessed roughly 441 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% as of mid-2025, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Enough, if further enriched to weapons-grade levels, to fuel multiple nuclear weapons. Experts estimate that final enrichment to 90% could take weeks under ideal conditions. However, producing a functional nuclear weapon would require additional steps, including weaponization and delivery system development, which could take months or longer. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, rose to national prominence in part for her opposition to U.S. military interventions overseas. She has said little publicly about the Iran conflict, but in a statement posted to X following Kent’s resignation, Gabbard emphasized that the determination of an imminent threat rests with the president. “Donald Trump was overwhelmingly elected by the American people to be our President and Commander in Chief. As our Commander in Chief, he is responsible for determining what is and is not an imminent threat,” she wrote on X. “After carefully reviewing all the information before him, President Trump concluded that the terrorist Islamist regime in Iran posed an imminent threat and he took action based on that conclusion.” Her comments underscored a central tension in Wednesday’s hearing: While the administration has framed the conflict as a response to an imminent threat, intelligence officials stopped short of publicly affirming that assessment.
Almost 200 House Dems vote against deporting people who commit welfare fraud
The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Wednesday to crack down on illegal immigrants participating in welfare fraud despite fierce objections from most Democrats. Lawmakers voted 231-186 to approve the Deporting Fraudsters Act, with 186 Democrats opposing the measure. The bill, sponsored by Rep. David Taylor, R-Ohio, would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to explicitly define fraud as a deportable offense. Republicans said the legislation is necessary to ensure that noncitizens who steal taxpayer dollars are no longer eligible for immigration relief services or legal protections. “If you admit to or you’re convicted of fraudulently receiving public benefits, you are out of here on the next plane and can never return,” Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., said Wednesday on the House floor. WALZ’S MINNESOTA MESS COULD SPARK THE TOUGHEST FRAUD REFORMS IN DECADES Democratic lawmakers largely opposed the GOP-authored bill, arguing that noncitizens convicted of fraud are already eligible for deportation. “Another week, another redundant and completely unnecessary immigration crime bill,” Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., said during debate on the measure. Democrats also sharply criticized the measure for eroding legal immigrants’ due process rights by permitting noncitizens to be deported prior to prosecutors securing a conviction. “By bypassing the conviction requirement, this legislation would hand a liberal get-out-of-jail free card to immigrants who commit fraud by deporting them without going through the criminal justice system and giving their victims a day in court,” Raskin said. GOP lawmakers countered that there is no language in the bill that prevents noncitizens from being prosecuted for alleged fraud prior to removal from the country. HAWLEY TARGETS MINNESOTA FRAUD, CCP-LINKED MONEY AT SENATE HEARING: ‘TAXPAYERS ROBBED BLIND’ The bill is likely dead on arrival in the Senate given widespread opposition from Democrats. Under Senate rules, most legislation must overcome a 60-vote threshold to advance to a vote on final passage. The vote follows heightened scrutiny from House Republicans on welfare fraud nationwide. The House Oversight Committee in December launched a probe into massive welfare fraud involving Minnesota’s social services programs. Federal prosecutors say as much as $9 billion in taxpayer money may have been stolen in various fraud schemes and have charged nearly 100 individuals, including many of Somali descent. House Republicans have also spotlighted reporting from independent journalist Nick Shirley, who has probed alleged daycare fraud in Minnesota and California. “We have already seen why action is needed,” Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., said Tuesday during a House GOP leadership news conference. “Independent journalist Nick Shirley helped expose a massive fraud scheme, showing how organized and widespread these scams can become even when oversight fails.”
‘How do you sleep at night?’ Moreno slams ‘disgraceful’ shutdown leaving 260,000 workers without pay
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, lambasted his Democratic colleagues for blaming Republicans for the partial government shutdown during a Congressional hearing on Wednesday, calling their behavior “disgusting” and “disgraceful.” Moreno used his allotted time during Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s confirmation hearing for the Department of Homeland Security Secretary to focus on the close to 260,000 DHS employees, which includes Transportation Security Administration employees, who have gone without a paycheck for more than a month. “260,000 American citizen families who have not received a paycheck in over a month. None of those people are in charge of policy,” Moreno said. “It’s not one of those families that makes policy decisions. For the most part, that’s on the people here. There isn’t a single human being on this dais that has missed a paycheck. Every single one of us has gotten a paycheck the last 30 days and before that.” ‘YOU CAN CRY ABOUT IT’: TEMPERS FLARE IN SENATE AS DHS SHUTDOWN DEBATE ERUPTS, STALEMATE DIGS DEEPER Moreno argued that the real victims of the government shutdown are DHS employees. “They’re having to tell their kids they can’t send them to dance recital because they did everything right in life except got a job with the Department of Homeland Security so that a politician can make a 30-second video online to fundraiser for the next election,” he said. “That’s disgusting.” Weeks ago, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., posted a video on social media vowing to vote against funding DHS until reforms are made to the agency. CORNYN CLASHES WITH PROGRESSIVE REP GREG CASAR IN HEATED AIRPORT FACE-OFF OVER DHS SHUTDOWN Moreno then turned his attention toward Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs ranking member Gary Peters, D-Mich., accusing him of failing to keep his promise of keeping key agencies funded. But Peters wasn’t paying attention. Moreno called it “incredibly disrespectful” before laying in on Peters. “You said you’re going to fund all these agencies,” Moreno said to Peters. “Here’s one that you haven’t funded.” Moreno showcased a large poster board, which shared how the mission of DHS was being compromised by the government shutdown. At the top of the board was listed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. “USCIS is near and dear to my heart,” Moreno said. “That’s how I became a US citizen. We’ve defunded the agency that allows legal immigrants into this country. That is insane. Never hear the Democrats talk about that. 3,300 employees, trying to process legal immigrants. They don’t get a paycheck.” He also railed against the defunding of Customs and Border Patrol and Immigration Customs and Enforcement. “Are you suggesting that we not fund an organization that tracks transnational organizations?” Moreno rhetorically asked Democrats of ICE funding. “Be specific. When you say you don’t want to fund ICE, I want you to say the words ‘we do not want to fund 7,000 special agents that are in charge of stopping transnational criminal organizations, drug smugglers, and human traffickers.” Moreno’s comments during Mullin’s Senate confirmation hearing come a day after Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., accused Democratic leadership of holding DHS agencies “hostage” amid negotiations for appropriations. Fox News Digital reached out to Sen. Peters for comment.
GOP governors, AGs back Trump SAVE Act push, warn system gives ‘undue influence’ to states with illegal aliens
FIRST ON FOX: Republican governors and attorneys general are backing President Donald Trump’s push to require proof of citizenship for voting, warning in an exclusive letter that current registration systems rely on an “honor system” and fail to adequately verify who is casting ballots in federal elections. The coalition argued the gaps give states with large populations of people in the country illegally “undue influence” over federal elections and how billions in taxpayer dollars are distributed. The letters, from members of the America First Policy Institute’s (AFPI) Governors and Attorneys General Councils and obtained exclusively by Fox News Digital, show coordinated support from Republican state leaders for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, legislation Trump has previously said he has to sign before he’ll sign anything else. Trump has recently ramped up pressure on Congress to pass the SAVE Act, aka the SAVE America Act, calling mail-in voting “corrupt as h—“ as the legislation moved to the Senate floor this week. THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE ‘TALKING FILIBUSTER’ AND THE SAVE ACT “The biggest thing coming up is the SAVE America Act in the Senate,” Trump said Tuesday, adding, “Who would not have voter ID, who would not have proof of citizenship? … The only people who would want not to have that are people that want to cheat.” Senate Republicans have already taken initial steps to advance the bill, voting 51-48 to begin debate, though its path forward remains uncertain as Democrats remain unified in opposition. In a letter to Senate leadership, members of AFPI’s Governors Council described the SAVE America Act as a “commonsense measure” to ensure elections are decided “by, and only by, American citizens.” GOP TRIGGERS MARATHON SENATE FIGHT TO EXPOSE DEMS’ OPPOSITION TO TRUMP-BACKED VOTER ID BILL The letter was signed by a group of Republican governors, including Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Texas Gov. Rick Perry, as well as attorneys general from states including Iowa, Alabama and South Carolina. They argued that while federal law limits voting in federal elections to U.S. citizens, states are “not required to verify citizenship at the time of registration.” “States with large illegal populations and little to no safeguards… unfairly hold undue influence in our Nation’s law-making process and how billions of dollars in tax revenue are distributed,” the governors wrote. REPS. FINE, SELF, HARRIS, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: WE’LL BLOCK THE SENATE UNTIL THE SAVE ACT PASSES The governors also pointed to gaps in current systems, noting that while many states require identification at the polls, others lack mechanisms to verify eligibility at the registration stage. They said they are prepared to work with state election officials to implement the law in a way that protects access for eligible voters while strengthening safeguards. In a separate letter, Republican attorneys general echoed those concerns, focusing on enforcement and the structure of current voter registration systems. “Existing voter registration procedures largely rely on the honor system, with voters simply checking a box to claim U.S. citizenship without requiring any documentary verification,” the group wrote. The attorneys general said the SAVE Act would close that gap by requiring applicants to provide “documentary proof of United States citizenship” when registering to vote in federal elections. They emphasized that the bill would preserve state control over election administration. “[The SAVE Act] does not nationalize elections,” the group wrote, adding that it also would not “disenfranchise American citizens.” The attorneys general also pushed back on criticism of the proposal, writing: “It is an insult to suggest that minorities, women, or members of the working class are not smart enough to obtain and provide simple proofs of citizenship.” The governors said they are committed to implementing the law in a way that ensures “no eligible American citizen is unduly burdened” while preventing ineligible registrations. “Our constituents deserve to know that their votes are protected and that elections in this country are free, fair, and secure,” they wrote. The governors’ letter and attorneys’ general letter can be read at the links provided here. Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed to this reporting.