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Children’s HealthWatch’s Public Comment To Oppose DOJ’s Proposed Rule On DNA-Sample Collection From Immigration Detainees

On November 11th, Children’s HealthWatch submitted a public comment on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) proposed rule for “DNA-Sample Collection From Immigration Detainees”. If passed the proposed rule would change how the DOJ implements the DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005, which authorized the collection of DNA samples from individuals arrested or detained by federal authorities. This rule does active harm: It will be highly costly to implement, violate human privacy, and criminalize children and asylum seekers, both of whom have special protections under international law. Therefore, we strongly oppose any administrative action that would harm the health of children and their families and urge the administration to immediately withdraw this harmful and dehumanizing proposal in its entirety