Overview

• Georgetown researchers analyzing newly released CBP data found DNA from nearly 2,000 U.S. citizens entered CODIS between 2020 and 2024, including an estimated 95 minors.
• In about 865 citizen cases no formal federal charges were filed, with dozens of records listing no charge and some swabs justified by civil infractions such as failure to declare.
• DHS has contributed roughly 2.6 million DNA profiles to CODIS since 2020, with about 97% collected under civil authority rather than criminal arrest.
• A 2020 Justice Department rule enabled mass DNA collection from immigration detainees, and subsequent FBI approvals advanced Rapid DNA processing, with new solicitations this month to install Rapid DNA at booking facilities.
• Oversight concerns persist after a 2021 DHS inspector general finding of weak central controls, as advocates pursue FOIA lawsuits and the FBI previously reported submission surges and backlogs.