FBI Hoovering Up DNA at a Pace That Rivals China, Holds 21 Million Samples and Counting

The U.S. FBI’s DNA database (CODIS) has surged to over 25 million profiles as of April 2023, driven largely by policies targeting migrants and advances in surveillance technology. A major increase stems from DNA collection mandates for individuals detained or arrested by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), implemented under Trump’s 2019 policy, which Biden has not reversed. After ending pandemic-era Title 42 expulsions, CBP processing led to a backlog of ~650,000 samples, risking delayed criminal identification.

Rapid DNA analysis—now automated and producing results in hours—has expanded law enforcement use, though critics warn this fuels overreach. The database’s crime-solving efficacy remains low: only 3% of profiles linked to cases, compared to higher fingerprint match rates (12% for federal employees in 2004).

Civil liberties advocates, including the ACLU, argue universal DNA collection threatens privacy and autonomy. DNA contains sensitive data on health risks, ancestry, and family ties, raising concerns about misuse. The policy disproportionately impacts migrants, with detained non-citizens now subject to mandatory sampling despite prior exemptions for cost reasons under Obama.

The FBI cites budget strains from handling influxes of 120k monthly samples, highlighting systemic challenges. Critics stress that expanding state DNA databases risks normalizing mass surveillance and eroding privacy rights, especially amid inadequate oversight. The Biden administration’s continuation of Trump-era policies underscores ongoing tensions between border enforcement priorities and civil liberties protections.