News Summary
The Department of Homeland Security is facing backlash for collecting DNA from over 1,900 U.S. citizens, including minors, without legal justification. The DNA was submitted to the FBI’s CODIS database, raising serious constitutional concerns, especially regarding the Fourth Amendment. Critics argue that this practice constitutes an unconstitutional surveillance program that lacks oversight. Recent advocacy efforts call for greater transparency in how federal agencies utilize genetic information, emphasizing the privacy and civil rights implications of such actions.
DHS Under Fire for Unauthorized DNA Collection from U.S. Citizens
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is facing serious backlash after reports revealed that it collected DNA data from over 1,900 U.S. citizens, including minors as young as 14, without proper legal justification. This DNA collection spanned between 2020 and 2024 and involved submission of these samples to the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).
Unearthing Alarming Numbers
Of the nearly 2,000 DNA samples taken, around 95 samples were from minors, and many individuals had not even been charged with a crime. For instance, a 25-year-old U.S. citizen had their DNA swabbed upon entering Chicago’s Midway airport, and the sample was subsequently uploaded to CODIS despite the individual not facing any criminal charges.
Even more concerning, approximately 865 of these DNA samples were collected from U.S. citizens without any formal federal charges being made. Critics argue that such practices raise serious constitutional alarms, particularly regarding the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Criticism and Constitutional Concerns
The actions by the DHS have led many to label this as an unconstitutional genetic surveillance program. Advocates for civil liberties are deeply worried about how this collection process operates without lawful justification or oversight. Reports from Georgetown Law’s Center on Privacy and Technology indicate that a significant percentage of the samples—around 97%—were collected from civil detainees.
The DHS’s program allows for DNA collection under vaguely defined circumstances, including minor civil infractions like “failure to declare” items while crossing borders. While DNA collected from individuals under civil authority is generally expected to have strict oversight, the current situation defies those norms.
A Shift in Policy and Practice
This alarming practice can trace its origins back to a March 2020 rule change that essentially gave the DHS the green light to collect DNA from non-citizens, and by extension U.S. citizens. This rule has sparked significant debate regarding its implications and fairness.
Backlogs and Potential Errors
In addition to privacy concerns, there are alarm bells ringing over the backlogs of DNA samples being processed by the FBI. Experts warn that these backlogs can lead to errors and wrongful identifications. Individuals whose DNA profiles are stored in CODIS might be subjected to heightened scrutiny by law enforcement for the rest of their lives, regardless of whether they were charged with any crime.
Links to Immigration Directives
This expansion of DNA collection protocols correlates closely with the immigration enforcement directives initiated during the Trump administration. These guidelines have faced intense criticism, especially for their perceived inadequacies when it comes to protecting civil rights.
Calls for Oversight and Transparency
In light of these revelations, various advocacy groups are pushing for greater transparency and judicial oversight concerning how federal agencies collect and store DNA. The growing database constructed from these unauthorized samples raises pressing questions about individual rights and the future use of genetic information by law enforcement.
The controversial practices surrounding DNA collection could potentially reshape public perception of genetic data, especially as it pertains to U.S. citizens. As the dialogue around civil liberties intensifies, many find themselves questioning how much control individuals have over their genetic identities.
In conclusion, the DHS’s activities spotlight a concerning intersection of privacy, civil rights, and government oversight, prompting a nationwide conversation about the future of personal data and how it is managed by federal agencies.
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Author: STAFF HERE LOS ANGELES WRITER
LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana
