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Original Date Announced
January 20, 2025Section 9(a) of presidential EO 14165 "Securing Our Borders" directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to take all appropriate action to fulfill the requirements of the DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005 and subsequent regulations that require federal law enforcement agencies to collect DNA from noncitizens detained under the authority of the United States.
Trump 2.0 [ID #1385]
2025.01.20 EO 14165 - Securing Our BordersEffective Date
January 20, 2025Subsequent Trump and Court Action
March 24, 20262026.03.24 Dingell & Raskin - Letter on DNA Collection
U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell and Jamie Raskin sent a letter to DHS Secretary Mullin, Secretary of State Rubio, and Attorney General Bondi requesting information about an incident where CBP collected a DNA sample from a Canadian citizen seeking to enter Michigan to attend a No Kings protest in October 2025. Kevin Larson, the Canadian citizen, was denied entry based on the nature of his planned activity and subjected to fingerprinting, a phone search, and a DNA collection. CBP officers told him that failure to provide a DNA sample could result in criminal charges carrying up to a year in prison.
View DocumentSubsequent Trump and Court Action
May 6, 20262026.05.06 Complaint - Briggs v. Mullin
Four plaintiffs arrested while peacefully protesting federal immigration enforcement at the Broadview Detention Center in Illinois filed a complaint alleging that the federal government has been wrongfully arresting peaceful protestors, compelling them to provide DNA samples, and then uploading their genetic profiles to government databases for permanent retention. Plaintiffs allege that these practices violate the First and Fourth Amendments and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). They seek declaratory and injunctive relief permanently enjoining the government from collecting DNA under the described circumstances, and an order requiring expungement and destruction of all DNA samples, profiles, and derivative records from databases. Briggs v. Mullin, No. 1:26-cv-05238 (N.D. Ill.).
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View DocumentCurrent Status
NoneOriginal Trump Policy Status
Status: Final/ActualTrump Administration Action: Presidential OrdersSubject Matter: DetentionAssociated or Derivative Policies
- March 9, 2020 DOJ eliminates DHS discretion to exempt certain detained noncitizens from DNA-sample collection
- January 20, 2025 EO 14165: "Securing Our Borders"
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
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New Policy
Original Source:
Securing Our Borders
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Subsequent Action
Original Source:
2026.03.24 Dingell & Raskin - Letter on DNA Sample
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Subsequent Action
Original Source:
2026.05.06 Complaint - Briggs v. Mullin
- Commentary
To provide information, corrections, or feedback, please email IPTP.feedback@gmail.com
Commentary
2025.07.14 Letter from Senator Wyden to DHS and DOJ
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon sent a letter to DHS Secretary Noem and Attorney General Bondi expressing concern with the “chilling expansion of DNA collection from noncitizens and how the actions of [their] Deparments may undermine the constitutional rights of adults and children in the United States." Wyden cites data showing that DHS has taken DNA samples from approximately 133,000 minors, whose DNA profiles are stored in the FBI's criminal database. Among other demands, the letter asks that DHS and DOJ explain how and why they are collecting and storing DNA samples from noncitizens.
Go to article2025.09.23 The Guardian - US border patrol collected DNA from thousands of US citizens for years, data shows
The Guardian reports that DHS collected DNA of an estimated 2,000 American citizens between 2020 and 2024, some as young as 14 years old. "[A]bout 40 US citizens had DNA samples taken by CBP and shared with the FBI even though they were charged with no crime. Six of these were minors."
The DNA is shared with the FBI and "is stored in a database called the Combined DNA Index System, which is used across the country by local, state and federal law enforcement to identify suspects of crimes using their DNA." According to the researchers, "the recently released data shows that CBP does not have a system to check whether there is a lawful reason to collect an individual’s DNA."
Go to article