Human rights activists have revealed the dangers behind the unpunished collection of DNA.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has collected the DNA of more than 1.5 million immigrants over the past 4 years and placed them in a database used for crime investigations, which has caused a wave of outrage and debate in society.
According to a new study from the Center for Privacy and Technology at Georgetown University, the number of DNA profiles collected has increased 50-fold since the Trump administration's rule came into effect in 2020. For comparison, 30,000 samples were collected 15 years before the rule change.
DHS began collecting DNA from virtually all detained immigrants, even if they were only detained for a short period of time. Researchers from Georgetown University are calling on the Biden administration to reverse this rule and delete the collected data, since many of the detained immigrants did not commit any crimes and were forced to hand over their genetic materials.
According to the report, many immigrants did not realize that their DNA was being used to supplement a criminal database known as the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The authors of the report interviewed many immigrants and lawyers about their experience of participating in this program.
CODIS is available for international law enforcement agencies, as well as for local, state, and federal crime investigations in the United States. Although DHS has internal instructions requiring agents to inform immigrants about the collection of their DNA, many immigrants reported that they were not notified either verbally or in writing. Many believed that taking a cheek swab was associated with checking for diseases.
The government stores DNA samples indefinitely, which researchers at Georgetown University consider dangerous, given the rapid development of technology and the lack of laws restricting the use of such data.
In addition, the detention of immigrants without sufficient grounds raises serious constitutional questions. DHS doesn't need to prove anything to the judge. Officers can simply detain someone based on the decision of the border and customs service. In addition, such a pace of daily collection of genetic material is impossible under criminal powers – the authorities simply abuse their capabilities.
The DNA collection program covers not only those who try to enter the United States, but also any detained immigrant. Those who have been forced to hand over DNA include people stopped at border posts or passing through customs control at airports.
The report also states that DHS does not provide data on the race, ethnicity, or nationality of people whose DNA is collected. However, since most of the detainees cross the US border with Mexico, it can be assumed that the program disproportionately affects communities of color.
Such communities are already subject to excessive surveillance, and the expansion of the DNA collection program means increased police surveillance. The authors of the report add that the DNA collection program is being implemented against the background of a long history of American immigration laws and policies directed against various racial groups of immigrants.
The authors of the report call on the Biden administration and Congress to immediately stop the program. The researchers hope that the disclosed information will help activists resist the practices of biometric data collection and government surveillance. DHS did not respond to a request for comment.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has collected the DNA of more than 1.5 million immigrants over the past 4 years and placed them in a database used for crime investigations, which has caused a wave of outrage and debate in society.
According to a new study from the Center for Privacy and Technology at Georgetown University, the number of DNA profiles collected has increased 50-fold since the Trump administration's rule came into effect in 2020. For comparison, 30,000 samples were collected 15 years before the rule change.
DHS began collecting DNA from virtually all detained immigrants, even if they were only detained for a short period of time. Researchers from Georgetown University are calling on the Biden administration to reverse this rule and delete the collected data, since many of the detained immigrants did not commit any crimes and were forced to hand over their genetic materials.
According to the report, many immigrants did not realize that their DNA was being used to supplement a criminal database known as the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The authors of the report interviewed many immigrants and lawyers about their experience of participating in this program.
CODIS is available for international law enforcement agencies, as well as for local, state, and federal crime investigations in the United States. Although DHS has internal instructions requiring agents to inform immigrants about the collection of their DNA, many immigrants reported that they were not notified either verbally or in writing. Many believed that taking a cheek swab was associated with checking for diseases.
The government stores DNA samples indefinitely, which researchers at Georgetown University consider dangerous, given the rapid development of technology and the lack of laws restricting the use of such data.
In addition, the detention of immigrants without sufficient grounds raises serious constitutional questions. DHS doesn't need to prove anything to the judge. Officers can simply detain someone based on the decision of the border and customs service. In addition, such a pace of daily collection of genetic material is impossible under criminal powers – the authorities simply abuse their capabilities.
The DNA collection program covers not only those who try to enter the United States, but also any detained immigrant. Those who have been forced to hand over DNA include people stopped at border posts or passing through customs control at airports.
The report also states that DHS does not provide data on the race, ethnicity, or nationality of people whose DNA is collected. However, since most of the detainees cross the US border with Mexico, it can be assumed that the program disproportionately affects communities of color.
Such communities are already subject to excessive surveillance, and the expansion of the DNA collection program means increased police surveillance. The authors of the report add that the DNA collection program is being implemented against the background of a long history of American immigration laws and policies directed against various racial groups of immigrants.
The authors of the report call on the Biden administration and Congress to immediately stop the program. The researchers hope that the disclosed information will help activists resist the practices of biometric data collection and government surveillance. DHS did not respond to a request for comment.
