This failure weakens our justice system and empowers criminals to illegally cross our border, jeopardizing American lives
Border Patrol agents process migrants in California (Getty Images)
The Biden administration is failing to conduct federally mandated DNA tests on detained illegal aliens, according to new data obtained by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa) and shared with the Washington Free Beacon.
The data reveals that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has only collected DNA samples from 30 to 40 percent of the approximately 3.2 million illegal aliens who entered the United States in fiscal year 2023. This failure by the Biden administration to comply with DNA gathering requirements set out in the 2005 DNA Fingerprint Act is occurring at a time when the country is facing a record surge of illegal migrants, many of whom commit high-profile crimes upon entering the country.
One tragic example is the murder of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at the University of Georgia, who was killed last month by an illegal alien while jogging around campus. The suspect, Jose Antonio Ibarra, had been first arrested for illegally crossing the southern border in September 2022 and was paroled into the country by President Joe Biden. Ibarra was also arrested in New York City for allegedly abusing a child under 17 years old.
In another case in Virginia, an illegal alien from El Salvador was arrested last month for the murder of a two-year-old during a shootout. The suspect had pending deportation orders resulting from prior arrests.
“Given the record number of illegal crossings, CBP encounters, and ICE detainees with prior criminal records, CBP and DHS’s continued failure to collect DNA on illegal immigrants is deeply concerning,” expressed Grassley in a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and acting Customs and Border Protection chief Troy Miller. “This failure weakens our justice system and empowers criminals to illegally cross our border, jeopardizing American lives.”
Border security sends the DNA collected from illegal aliens to the FBI, which creates a file for each individual. The DNA of illegal migrants is also uploaded into the National DNA Index System, which law enforcement agencies around the country use to help solve crimes.
Data shows that the FBI’s DNA database has assisted law enforcement in arresting numerous illegal aliens for fraud, murder, and the sexual assault of minors. Some of these arrests were made in relation to “cold cases” that had remained unsolved for a long time.
The Biden administration has attempted to roll back certain rules regarding the collection of DNA from illegal aliens that were implemented under former president Donald Trump. In May 2021, the Department of Homeland Security ended the mandatory collection of DNA from every application request and eliminated certain exemptions from the practice.
Last year, the Department of Homeland Security also ended the mandatory DNA testing for families detained at the southern border. Supporters argue that practices like these help law enforcement verify the relationships between illegal aliens in custody.
Since Biden took office, more than 8 million migrants have illegally entered the country, marking the highest number in U.S. history. Surveys indicate that immigration is now a top concern among voters, which is unusual in modern polling.
Despite gaining attention from the electorate, there is little evidence that the Biden administration plans to change its course any time soon. Raul Ortiz, the former head of the U.S. Border Patrol, revealed in an interview earlier this month that he “never had one conversation” with Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris during his tenure.
A spokesman for Customs and Border Protection declined to comment.
What steps should the Biden administration take to address the failure to collect DNA samples from detained illegal aliens and strengthen our justice system
Om detainees to the FBI, who then enters it into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). This database allows law enforcement agencies to match DNA evidence from crime scenes to known offenders in order to identify and apprehend suspects. The DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005 mandated the collection of DNA samples from individuals arrested, facing criminal charges, or convicted of certain offenses, including illegal entry into the United States.
By failing to collect DNA samples from a large percentage of illegal aliens, the Biden administration is not only ignoring a federal requirement but also hindering law enforcement’s ability to investigate and solve crimes. Without a comprehensive DNA database that includes samples from all individuals who have entered the country illegally, prosecutors and investigators are left with limited resources in their pursuit of justice.
The consequences of this failure are evident in the tragic cases mentioned earlier. Laken Riley and the two-year-old victim in Virginia would still be alive if their killers had been properly identified and apprehended. This failure not only puts American lives at risk but also weakens the integrity of our justice system, which relies on the collection and use of DNA evidence to hold criminals accountable for their actions.
It is concerning that this failure is happening at a time when illegal border crossings are at record levels. The surge of illegal migrants into the United States provides ample opportunity for criminals to enter the country undetected. By not collecting DNA samples from these individuals, the Biden administration is essentially allowing criminals to freely cross our border, jeopardizing the safety and security of American citizens.
Sen. Grassley’s letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and acting Customs and Border Protection chief Troy Miller highlights the urgency and importance of this issue. The failure to collect DNA from illegal aliens not only undermines our justice system but also enables criminal activity that directly impacts the lives of American citizens.
The Biden administration must take immediate action to address this failure and ensure that DNA samples are collected from all detained illegal aliens as required by law. Additionally, increased resources and support should be provided to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to process and analyze these samples in a timely manner. By doing so, we can strengthen our justice system, protect American lives, and send a clear message that illegal activity will not be tolerated in our country.
In conclusion, the failure of the Biden administration to collect DNA samples from detained illegal aliens undermines our justice system and empowers criminals to illegally cross our border. This failure not only jeopardizes American lives but also weakens the integrity of our justice system. Urgent action must be taken to address this issue and ensure that DNA samples are collected from all detained illegal aliens. By doing so, we can strengthen our border security, protect American citizens, and uphold the principles of justice and accountability.
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