Senate Democrats call on White House to abandon plan to collect DNA from migrants

A group of Senate Democrats is calling on the Trump administration to abandon reported plans to collect DNA from migrants at the border.

Sen. Ed MarkeyEdward (Ed) John MarkeyOvernight Defense: Pentagon shares images of al-Baghdadi raid | Bolton called for impeachment inquiry deposition | Russia ambassador pick pressed on surveillance flight treaty Senate Democrats call on White House to abandon plan to collect DNA from migrants Trump’s Russia ambassador nominee say US hasn’t withdrawn from surveillance flight treaty MORE (D-Mass.) led a group of 11 senators in a letter Wednesday calling the plan “unnecessary, unjustified and invasive.”

The letter warns that putting such data in the hands of the federal government could allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to use it for enforcement actions against family members as well.

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“The real rationale for this new policy appears to be the Trump administration’s unending desire to vilify and stigmatize immigrants, and to erect any and all possible obstacles to immigration to the United States,” the letter states.

“And the consequence of this new policy will be to place in the hands of the federal government voluminous biometric data taken without consent from hundreds and thousands of migrants—including children as young as 14 years of age—who have done nothing other than seek a better life in our country,” it adds.

Multiple reports have emerged this month saying that the Trump administration has moved toward collecting DNA samples from asylum-seekers amid efforts to prosecute migrants for criminal offenses.

The letter asks for the statutory and regulatory justification for such a move as well as details on any cost-benefit analysis the Department of Justice (DOJ) or DHS have conducted, as well as how the departments square the process with the constitutional right against unreasonable search and seizure that courts have held applies to immigrants.

“According to press reports, the new policy will apply to asylum-seekers presenting themselves at legal ports of entry, and therefore may have committed no crimes under immigration laws. Are these press reports accurate, and, if so, what is the justification for collecting DNA samples from asylum-seekers?” the letter asks.

Six Democrats running for president in 2020 signed onto the letter Wednesday: Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersSanders campaign hits back at Biden: ‘He is once again peddling dishonest insurance company talking points’ Overnight Health Care: House Dems clash over Pelosi drug pricing bill | Senate blocks effort to roll back Trump ObamaCare moves | Number of uninsured children rises Sanders aide says heart attack ‘personalized’ health issues for voters MORE (I-Vt.), Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenOvernight Health Care: House Dems clash over Pelosi drug pricing bill | Senate blocks effort to roll back Trump ObamaCare moves | Number of uninsured children rises Sanders aide says heart attack ‘personalized’ health issues for voters Krystal Ball: Bernie seems ‘to have a little extra mojo post heart attack’ MORE (D-Mass.), Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerTrump’s criminal justice reform record fraught with contradiction Biden’s lead atop Democratic field slips: poll GOP senator: Pelosi impeachment timeline intended to help Joe Biden MORE (D-N.J.), Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisBiden’s lead atop Democratic field slips: poll GOP senator: Pelosi impeachment timeline intended to help Joe Biden Harris to cut some staff, redeploy others to Iowa in campaign shake-up MORE (D-Calif.), Amy KlobucharAmy Jean KlobucharHillicon Valley: Twitter to refuse all political ads | Trump camp blasts ‘very dumb’ decision | Ocasio-Cortez hails move | Zuckerberg doubles down on Facebook’s ad policies | GOP senator blocks sweeping election reform bill Senators introduce bill to strengthen cybersecurity of local governments Biden’s lead atop Democratic field slips: poll MORE (D-Minn.), and Michael BennetMichael Farrand BennetGOP senator: Pelosi impeachment timeline intended to help Joe Biden Senate Democrats call on White House to abandon plan to collect DNA from migrants 2020 Democrats tackle US aid to Israel MORE (D-Colo.).

The letter was also signed by Sens. Patrick LeahyPatrick Joseph LeahyJudicial nominee breaks down amid question about attitude toward LGBT people Senate Democrats call on White House to abandon plan to collect DNA from migrants Senate rejects Paul effort to cut spending MORE (D-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Patty MurrayPatricia (Patty) Lynn MurraySenate Democrats call on White House to abandon plan to collect DNA from migrants Overnight Health Care: Judge temporarily blocks Alabama near-total abortion ban | Sanders dismisses calls for ‘Medicare for All’ funding plan | Dems urge Trump not to back down on vaping flavor ban Senate Democrats urge Trump not to back down from vaping flavor ban MORE (D-Wash.), and Mazie HironoMazie Keiko HironoSenate Democrats call on White House to abandon plan to collect DNA from migrants Democrats introduce SWAMP Act to ban meetings with foreign leaders at Trump properties Democrats urge Rick Perry not to roll back lightbulb efficiency rules MORE (D-Hawaii).

The Hill has reached out to DOJ and DHS for comment.

–Updated at 3:19 p.m.

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