Border patrol to expand DNA collection of certain illegal immigrants nationwide
By John Solomon Updated: December 6, 2020 - 10:50pm
FTA
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol is expanding nationwide its efforts to collect DNA samples from certain illegal immigrants suspected of crimes and plans to complete the process by month’s end, well ahead of its deadline.
“This aggressive timeline represents a strong commitment by CBP to implement collection under this law, well ahead of the 3 years contemplated by the rule,” the agency said.
The DNA collections were authorized by the DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005 passed by Congress in early 2006, which required CBP to gather DNA from individuals who are arrested, facing criminal charges or convicted, and from non-U.S. individuals who are detained under federal authority. The samples are supposed to be added to the FBI database known as the Combined DNA Index System or CODIS.
Under the Obama administration, however, CBP was granted an exemption from complying with the law by claiming “operational exigencies or resource limitations.”
The Trump Justice Department eliminated that exemption earlier this year, and CBP began a pilot program in January to begin the legally required DNA collections.
“The pilot programs that began in January have provided the information CBP needed to successfully meet its legal requirements for nationwide collection,” the agency said last week. “CBP has rolled out the collection program more broadly in monthly phases and will reach full operation by Dec. 31, 2020.”
Good! Good way to determine if a child really belongs to the person that claims parenthood.