US Immigration’s DNA Collection from Children: Illegal, Immoral, and Unwise
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) has uploaded over 1.5 million DNA profiles, including those of children as young as four, to the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) since 2020. This represents a massive increase in genetic surveillance, with most profiles collected from migrants not accused of felonies. Experts raise concerns about the expansive nature of this practice and its potential impact on privacy and the targeting of immigrant communities. The CBP asserts that DNA collection aids in border security efforts, while critics argue that the loose definition of “detained” in the immigration context allows for widespread, unchecked collection. The collected DNA is stored indefinitely by the FBI.
John Q. Hosedrinker