US immigration will collect DNA and biometrics from all applicants, even children
What happened
The US Department of Homeland Security wants to collect more kinds of biometric data from more people seeking immigration benefits. This means anyone applying for immigration benefits, including children, would have to provide fingerprints, photos, and potentially DNA samples.
Why it matters
Biometric collection for immigration has historically focused on adults and specific types of data. This proposal expands the government's ability to identify and track individuals across their lifespan, starting from childhood, and to link them through genetic information. It also formalizes how this data can be reused and stored, creating a much larger and more comprehensive database for law enforcement and immigration purposes.
The signal
Watch for the final rule to be published and whether the scope of biometric collection, especially for minors and DNA, remains as broad as proposed.