The United States stores DNA for immigrants in a criminal database

US The government gathered DNA Samples of more than 133,000 migrant and adolescent children-at least one age of 4 years-carried their genetic data to a national criminal database used by local, state and federal law enforcement, according to the documents reviewed by WIRE.

Records, which were quietly released by customs and US border protection earlier this year, are offered the most detailed appearance to date the controversial DNA collection program in CBP. They reveal for the first time the depth of the government’s vital monitoring to the lives of migrant children, some of whom may still learn to read or link their shoes – which DNA is now stored in a system that was originally built for convicted sexual criminals and violent criminals.

The Ministry of Justice has argued that the activity of the wide DNA collection on the border provides a “evaluation” for the migrant, which is likely to be “present to the public” and will mainly help solve crimes that may be linked in the future. Experts say raw genetic materials for children will be stored indefinitely and anxious that, without appropriate handrails, DNA Dragnet can at the end for more comprehensive stereotype.

The records that extend from October 2020 to the end of 2024 extend, the records indicate that CBP has wiped the cheeks from 829,000 and 2.8 million people, where experts estimate that the real number, with the exception of repetitions, is likely to be more than 1.5 million. This number includes up to 133,539 children and adolescents. These numbers represent a comprehensive expansion of biometric monitoring – those that are explicitly targeting immigrant population, including children.

DNA samples are registered in the joint DNA, or CODIS, a database run by the FBI, which treats DNA and storing the resulting genetic definition files. A network of criminal forensic databases, and CODIS is used by local, state and federal enforcement agencies to match the DNA collected from crime scenes or condemnations to identify suspects.

On May 10, 2024, for example, the records say that CBP agents from El Paso, Texas collected a sample of DNA from the escape of the individual in his reservation that CBP determined as Kobe and who was arrested by claiming that he was “an immigrant with documents with”. Surveying the cheeks to individuals, the agents obtained a sample of DNA that contains the genetic code for the entire individual and then sent the sample to the FBI for treatment.

According to CBP records, the individual was only 4 years old.

Among the tens of thousands of minors who have been collected through customs and border protection over the past four years, when 227 years have been 137 years or younger, including 4 -year -old. The Ministry of Internal Security policy states that individuals under the age of 14 are generally exempt from the collection of DNA, but field officers have a discretionary authority to collect DNA in some cases. Data show additional inputs for children between the ages of 10, 11, 12 and 13. Height numbers start from the age of 14; More than 30,000 posts have been registered per age group from 14 to 17.

Under the current rules, the DNA is generally collected from anyone who is also placed in fingerprints. According to the DHS policy, 14 is the minimum age in which the fingerprint becomes routine.

CBP records say up to 122 minors were classified as American citizens, 53 of whom were held due to any criminal arrest. (People who ask the United States enter to apply for asylum in civil custody instead of criminal custody.)

DHS or CBP did not give the comment before post.