The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the Biden-Harris administration is facing serious allegations of violating federal DNA collection mandates, as claimed by several whistleblowers.
Breitbart reported that according to these claims, this breach of the DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005 has led to grave outcomes and retaliatory measures against whistleblowers.
The allegations were put forward in a letter signed by more than two dozen Republican lawmakers in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The letter draws attention to the directives of the DNA Fingerprint Act, which requires federal agencies to collect DNA profiles from those arrested, charged, or convicted of crimes, as well as detained foreign nationals.
These measures were solidified by an administration rule during former President Trump's tenure to ensure compliance with the DNA regulations.
The whistleblowers' claims are stark. They state that the administration collected DNA from just 16% of the 1.9 million migrants encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border in Fiscal Year 2021.
This increased only slightly to 37% from a total of 2.7 million individuals encountered in Fiscal Year 2022, with a marginal improvement in 2023.
According to the disclosures, several U.S. Border Patrol processing centers, including those in Tucson and San Diego, reportedly failed to collect DNA samples regularly. This resulted in a significant proportion of the migrant population crossing the border without any DNA data being recorded.
The purported lapse in DNA collection is also thought to have contributed to an uptick in illegal border crossings, leading to more than 10 million encounters over three and a half years. The implications of this failure extend to specific criminal acts.
For instance, Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, a Salvadoran gang affiliate, reportedly crossed the border multiple times without DNA collection by DHS.
These allegations have legalized ramifications, including Mr. Martinez-Hernandez's alleged involvement in the murder of Rachel Morin. His case is often cited by those advocating for strict DNA collection. Additionally, it reportedly links him to a home invasion in Los Angeles, incidents that might have been prevented if his DNA had been recorded during earlier crossings.
The fallout from these allegations brought accusations of retaliation against the whistleblowers involved.
Reports indicate that whistleblowers faced severe repercussions, such as losing retirement benefits. One whistleblower was reportedly targeted in extreme ways by a DHS official, in an apparent attempt to force them out of their position.
The letter from Republican lawmakers mentions that the efforts to retaliate were based on external validations by the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), which supported the whistleblowers' accounts. Allegedly, the aggressions included threats of financial ruin and other drastic measures.
To understand the broader consequences, these events point to potential gaps in border policy management and compliance.
The failure to enforce DNA collection standards may undermine border security and public safety. As suggested by the incidents, more thorough DNA collection might aid in capturing repeat offenders and preventing serious crimes.
In light of these concerns, the whistleblower claims urge a re-evaluation of current practices to ensure alignment with federal requirements. The calls for accountability are accompanied by demands for a transparent investigation into the alleged retaliatory actions faced by those who came forward with these claims.
As these allegations continue to unfold, public and legislative scrutiny grows. The push for DHS to adhere more closely to established DNA laws could lead to potential changes in how border processing is conducted. The implications of these issues stretch beyond immediate legal compliance, addressing broader discussions about national security and protection protocols.
