--- title: "Trump Admin to Require DNA Samples From Asylum Seekers" description: "The Trump administration is planning to force almost all future asylum seekers and migrants to have their DNA taken and added to a database." date: "2019-10-21" modified: "2019-10-21" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/trump-admin-dna-samples-asylum-seekers" categories: - "DNA" - "Future Society" - "Genetics" - "Health & Medicine" tags: - "border patrol" - "immigration" - "the digest" --- # Trump Admin to Require DNA Samples From Asylum Seekers ![The Trump administration is planning to force almost all future asylum seekers and migrants to have their DNA taken and added to a database.]() *\Image: U.S. Customs and Border Protection\* ## DNA Database The White House is planning to force almost all future asylum seekers and migrants to provide DNA samples for a database, the [*Associated Press* reports](). "The proposed rule change would help to save lives and bring criminals to justice by restoring the authority of the Attorney General to authorize and direct the collection of DNA from non-United States persons detained at the border... with the ultimate goal of reducing victimization of innocent citizens,” said Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen in an [official statement]() issued by the Justice Department today. ## Targeting Immigrants The move drew immediate criticism when an outline of the plan came to light [two weeks ago](). Critics argued that the move could recklessly endanger the privacy of hundreds of thousands of people and be used against those who are innocent. The proposed rules make exceptions for those applying for asylum at legal points of entry, but not for those who apply for asylum after illegally crossing the border. It's yet another instance of the Trump administration's efforts to curb illegal immigration by giving border patrol greater powers over those who attempt the already dangerous crossing. The *AP* suggests the proposal could face legal challenges in coming weeks. **READ MORE:** [U.S. proposes collecting DNA samples from detained immigrants]() \[*Reuters*\] **More on border patrol:** *[New Facial Recognition Tech At U.S. Borders Will Scan Your Face, Whether You Like It Or Not]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()