Senator Wyden Questions DNA Collection Practices at DHS and DOJ
United States Senator Ron Wyden has raised concerns regarding the collection of DNA from immigrants, including children, by the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Justice (DOJ). In a recent inquiry, Wyden is demanding explanations about the legality, scope, and oversight of these practices, which he describes as a troubling expansion of a convoluted and opaque system. The senator’s concerns echo long-standing warnings regarding the potential misuse of genetic data, particularly in relation to vulnerable populations.
This week, Wyden sent letters to both agencies, criticizing what he perceives as an alarming increase in the gathering of DNA samples without proper transparency. He directed particular attention to the Trump administration’s actions, asserting that basic operational details regarding DNA collection processes have been withheld from public scrutiny. His concerns are underscored by recent reports indicating that the DHS has collected genetic samples from approximately 133,000 migrant children and teenagers. The origin of this data was revealed through a Freedom of Information Act request and reported by various media outlets.
The implications of this data collection are significant, particularly as these DNA profiles are stored in the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), a database traditionally used to identify suspects in serious crimes. Critics have voiced alarm that the inclusion of immigrant DNA in a system primarily designed for criminal investigations could lead to innocent children being treated as suspects in future cases. Wyden highlights that the retention of this information could result in indefinite scrutiny of their genetic profiles by law enforcement.
Over the past four years, government records indicate the DHS has gathered DNA from tens of thousands of minors, including at least 227 children aged 13 or younger. Most of these individuals hail from just four countries: Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti. As Wyden points out, by integrating these children’s DNA into CODIS, their information will be accessible in future database queries, potentially casting them as suspects without justification.
The trend has positioned noncitizens at the forefront of a burgeoning genetic surveillance regime, raising questions about the ethical use of DNA in civil immigration contexts. The Georgetown Law Center on Privacy and Technology has analyzed the recent increases in DNA samples processed, finding an alarming acceleration in the inclusion of immigrant DNA in criminal tracking systems.
In his letters, Wyden has called upon Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to provide clarity regarding the legal framework governing the collection, storage, and usage of these DNA samples. His requests extend to a comprehensive overview of how DHS manages DNA coercion, expungement, and data sharing, emphasizing the need for accountability as this practice expands.
Historically, laws authorizing federal DNA collection were intended to address violent crime, not to facilitate the enduring retention of noncitizen DNA. Wyden’s actions remind us that the implications of genetic data collection extend far beyond individual cases; they touch on broader themes of privacy, civil liberties, and ethical governance.
As discussions continue, both the DOJ and DHS face mounting pressure to respond to these inquiries and provide clarity on their policies regarding DNA collection from vulnerable populations. Business owners and professionals should consider the potential ramifications of such practices, especially in terms of the evolving landscape of data privacy and surveillance, which could impact various sectors in unforeseen ways.
In summary, the scrutiny surrounding DNA collection practices within federal agencies raises important questions about legal authority, ethical standards, and the balance between national security and civil liberties, with possible tactics related to reconnaissance, data collection, and information dissemination potentially utilized in these actions.
