US authorities are collecting DNA information of children in criminal database
a year ago
- #privacy concerns
- #DNA surveillance
- #immigration
- US immigration authorities are collecting and uploading DNA of migrants, including children, to a national criminal database (Codis).
- Over 133,000 migrant teens and children, some as young as four, have had their DNA collected and stored in Codis.
- CBP claims DNA collection is for border security, targeting criminals, but most collected DNA is from individuals not accused of felonies.
- Experts criticize the practice as a 'massive expansion of genetic surveillance' and an invasion of privacy.
- Since 2020, CBP has added over 1.5 million DNA profiles to Codis, a 5,000% increase in three years.
- DNA collection in immigration has fewer limitations compared to criminal contexts, allowing rapid expansion.
- Collected DNA is stored indefinitely by the FBI, raising concerns about long-term privacy and civil liberties.