Reintroduction of Familial DNA Testing Amid Rising Concerns
ARIZONA — The Biden Administration has ordered familial DNA testing to be reinstated at the US-Mexico border. This move comes after intensified calls in recent weeks due to escalating concerns over child trafficking and fraudulent family claims.
Criticism Over Previous Halt of DNA Testing
The decision to halt DNA testing in May 2023 was met with criticism from various officials and lawmakers. They argue that the testing is crucial for border security and child protection.
San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond is among those urging the White House to reestablish familial DNA testing at the border. In a letter, Desmond highlighted the importance of DNA testing in catching “fraudulent families”—smugglers, cartel members, and desperate migrants claiming trafficked children as their own.
The Importance of Familial DNA Testing
The familial DNA testing, initially introduced during the Trump administration following a court order, had proven to be a vital tool in curbing human trafficking and identifying fraudulent family units attempting to cross the border. It exposed numerous cases where individuals, claiming to be parents, had no biological connection to the accompanying children.
Cessation and Reinstatement of DNA Testing
The cessation of DNA testing was communicated through a memo to frontline Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, indicating that the practice would cease later in the month it was issued. This halt was exclusive to familial DNA testing, with other forms of DNA collection by the FBI continuing unaffected.
The decision to halt DNA testing coincided with the expiration of a vendor contract for DNA test kits. Despite the logistical reason, the lack of public disclosure sparked speculation and concerns among officials and the public alike.
Legislative Efforts to Enhance Border Security
To remedy the situation, Rep. Lance Gooden of Texas has reintroduced legislation known as the Biometric Verification for Entry and Reconfirming Identification with Forensics (B-VERIFY) Act. The bill requires that biometric data, including DNA, be collected by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from all aliens apprehended by the three immigration agencies within DHS.
The bill would also require the agencies to conduct more stringent background checks on individuals with whom unaccompanied alien children (UACs) are to be placed. Importantly, the B-VERIFY Act requires the collection of biometric data before administering any immigration benefit and permanently bars a parent or guardian who knowingly sends a child to cross the border illegally from adjusting their immigration status. The goal of the legislation is to help secure the border, discourage asylum fraud driven by mass illegal migration, and deter human trafficking.
The Use of Biometric Data in Border Security
Both the use of biometric data and the goal of the legislation—to deter child trafficking—should not be controversial. Airports utilize biometrics to rapidly check the identities of travelers during the immigration process, and many countries—including the United Kingdom and those in the European Union—use these objective measurements of physical characteristics.
