CBP whistleblowers warn lack of DNA collection at southern border endangering Americans

Whistleblower Mike Taylor later said that collecting DNA is required by law and that it didn't seem to be a priority for the Biden administration.

By Charlotte Hazard

Published: July 23, 2024 3:49pm

Department of Homeland Security whistleblowers said during a roundtable hosted by GOP senators that the government not taking DNA samples from illegals coming across the U.S.-Mexico border puts Americans in danger.

"The low percentage of DNA collection we see today allows criminals to commit further crimes, including forcible sex offenses, murders, trafficking, drug smuggling, and other acts perpetrated on US citizens and residents," whistleblower Fred Wynn of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said during his opening remarks.

The four whistleblowers testifying during the Tuesday roundtable are Wynn, Mike Taylor, Mark Jones, and Kumar Kibble.

Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Ron Johnson, R-Wis., hosted the roundtable.

Kibble is a former DHS employee while the other three currently work for CBP.

The men raised concerns that the federal government was not following the "DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005," which allows law enforcement agencies to collect DNA from detained noncitizens facing criminal charges.

"In May of 2017, DHS Secretary John Kelly issued a memorandum directing DHS components to enhance biometric collection practices in support of DHS’s screening and vetting activities," Wynn said. "CBP made no effort to begin DNA collection in response to this memorandum."

Taylor later said that collecting DNA is required by law, but didn't seem to be a priority for the Biden administration.