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Press Release Published: May 26, 2023

Grothman, National Security Subcommittee Members Investigate Human Trafficking Risks as Biden Administration Moves to End DNA Testing at the Border

WASHINGTON—Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs Chairman Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) and members of the subcommittee are launching an investigation after reports indicated that the Biden Administration will end familial DNA testing used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to confirm claimed family unit relationships. In a letter to Acting Commissioner of CBP, the lawmakers are calling on CBP to provide documents, communications, and a staff level briefing to understand how children are being protected from the risk of being exploited or trafficked.

“The Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs is investigating concerning reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will cease familial DNA testing of purported family units on May 31, 2023, due to the expiration of CBP’s contract with BODE Technologies. CBP has contracted with BODE Technologies since 2019 to perform rapid DNA testing services to confirm claimed family unit relationships. To assist the Subcommittee in understanding how CBP intends to ensure the safety of vulnerable children at risk of being exploited or trafficked, we request CBP provide documents and information, as well as a staff-level briefing,” the lawmakers wrote.

President Biden’s open borders agenda has created a humanitarian crisis that encourages the trafficking of migrant children into the United States. In fiscal year 2022, 2.76 million migrants illegally crossed the southern border. Cartels have exploited President Biden’s disastrous border policies to create one of the largest human trafficking and smuggling operations in the world. An estimated 60 percent of unaccompanied minors crossing the border are forced into child pornography and drug trafficking by cartels.

“Since 2019, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials have performed familial DNA testing on some family units to ensure the safety and security of minors and prevent them from being exploited by adults. This testing has led DHS to detect numerous attempts of familial fraud at the southern border.  Additionally, a DHS Inspector General report found that 1 in 10 children who underwent DNA testing were not related to the adults claiming to be relatives.  Other reports have found that as many as 3 in 10 children share no familial relation whatsoever to the adults claiming them,” the lawmakers continued. 

Read the letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Troy Miller here.