Republican Senator Chuck Grassley is demanding answers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the “alarmingly low” percentage of DNA samples of illegal immigrants being received by the FBI. Grassley, in a letter to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) acting Commissioner Troy Miller and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, cites whistleblower data that his office has received related to CBP DNA collection practices at the borders. The statistics show that in the first three quarters of FY23, the FBI received only a small percentage of DNA samples compared to the number of migrant encounters. Grassley argues that this failure weakens the justice system and allows criminals to illegally cross the border.
Grassley has previously pointed out that exemptions from the 2005 DNA Fingerprint Act were removed by the Justice Department in 2020, broadening the number of individuals who can be fingerprinted. However, there are still exemptions for children under 14 years old and those who already have a DNA profile. The government has also faced challenges due to a shortage of test kits, and there is a reported backlog of DNA testing.
Grassley highlights examples of crimes committed by illegal immigrants that have been solved through DNA matches, despite what he considers insufficient DNA efforts by federal authorities. He specifically asks whether Jose Antonio Ibarra, who was recently charged in the murder of a Georgia student, was ever subject to a DNA sample.
As illegal immigration continues to be a significant issue, both President Biden and former President Donald Trump visited the southern border in Texas last week. Polling shows that it is a top concern for voters. CBP sources have reported over 21,000 migrant encounters in the past 72 hours, with the Tucson Sector being the busiest.
Senator Grassley’s demand for answers from DHS and CBP regarding the low percentage of DNA samples received by the FBI raises questions about the effectiveness of border security measures. The failure to collect DNA from illegal immigrants not only weakens the justice system but also puts American lives at risk. As the 2024 campaign trail heats up, illegal immigration is likely to remain a central issue for voters and politicians alike.
