A proposal in Georgia could allow DNA to be collected from immigrants taken into custody for minor offenses.
"It is one example of something we are seeing across the landscape, which is government actors at all levels vacuuming up DNA in all available contexts,” said Stevie Glaberson, director of research and advocacy at the Center on Privacy and Technology at Georgetown University law school.
The FBI launched the National DNA Index System in 1998 to compile DNA samples submitted by federal, state and local authorities. It's grown in size and scope and now contains more than 26 million DNA profiles, many from people convicted of crimes. A federal law enacted 20 years ago allowed the attorney general to expand DNA collection to people arrested and to noncitizens detained under federal authority. But because of exceptions authorized by federal officials, few immigrants had their DNA collected., during Trump's first term, when a new Department of Justice rule took away much of that discretion. Over the next five years, the Department of Homeland Security added the DNA profiles of more than 2.6 million detainees to the national database, according to an analysis by the Center on Privacy and Technology.whose DNA has been collected during Trump's second term.would allow it to collect DNA, including from U.S. citizens, to determine family relationships in immigrant benefit cases.Though many states collect DNA from people arrested for felonies, just 10 states collect it from people arrested for certain misdemeanors, such as sex offenses, and none collect it for all misdemeanor arrests, according to an AP analysis of data compiled by the Boise State University Department of Criminal Justice., any arrest could lead to DNA collection for immigrants subject to federal detainer requests. Officials in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation did not respond to questions about whether those laws are being used.would require DNA collection from immigrants facing any misdemeanor or felony charges if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a detainer request but has not picked up the person within 48 hours. Georgia state Sen. Tim Bearden, a Republican sponsoring the bill, described the measure as a means of solving crimes. “Technology is changing quickly, and DNA is one of those things that help us tremendously when we’re trying to make sure to bring justice to victims in this state and across this country,” Bearden said at a March hearing. The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that “partnerships with law enforcement are critical to having the resources we need to arrest criminal illegal aliens across the country.”A 2024 Georgia law mandates that local law enforcement cooperate with federal authorities to identify and detain immigrants in the U.S. illegally, or else lose state funding. This year's legislation would build upon that.taken into custody for minor violations. Traffic offenses that are penalized as civil violations in some states are considered misdemeanors in Georgia, making them subject to the new law, said Mazie Lynn Guertin, executive director and policy advocate with the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. “We don’t think that swabbing a person who’s committed a traffic violation is a boon for public safety,” Guertin said. “The correlation between a broken tail light and a crime that’s solvable with DNA is pretty attenuated in most cases.” People subject to federal immigration detainer requests aren’t necessarily undocumented or deportable, because they may later prove their legal presence, said Kyle Gomez-Leineweber, director of policy for Common Cause Georgia. But such people could have their DNA collected under the Georgia legislation. “What this really does is it creates a two-tiered system where some of the DNA would be collected based off of the perception of an individual’s immigration status,” said Gomez-Leineweber.upheld a Maryland law allowing DNA to be collected from people charged — but not yet convicted — of certain serious crimes. That law allows DNA to be added to a database after it's determined there is probable cause to detain someone, provided it's deleted if the person is not ultimately convicted. The Maryland case often is cited as justification for an expansion of DNA collection. But some immigrant advocates question whether civil immigration detainers meet the probable cause threshold to make DNA collection acceptable under the U.S. Constitution's Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. “There doesn’t appear to be any kind of meaningful justification for states to step in to require the collection of DNA -- of genetic material -- from noncitizens in their custody who have merely been accused of a crime, even a low-level crime," said Jorge Loweree, managing director of the American Immigration Council. “It seems like this is just an effort to increase the surveillance of noncitizens.”Lieb reported from Jefferson City, Missouri. Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative.is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.▶Fake Instagram account created by high school students leads to former DCPS police officer’s arrestThe Jags are about to get a new 'home away from home' for 2027Woman found fatally shot in front yard of home on Jacksonville’s WestsideLawmakers hope new law spurs affordable housing, but some say it weakens local government control‘Crash zone’: Northside neighbors demand action on dangerous curveWoman found fatally shot in front yard of home on Jacksonville’s WestsideMeet our March Positively JAX winner: Waste Not Florida 💙♻️▶Florida court shuts down online gift card business based in Ponte Vedra, imposes over $800K in finesCashless touchscreens replace parking kiosks in downtown St. AugustineDNA test connects Clay County Navy veteran to WWII POW missing for over 80 yearsLoved ones say farewell to 23-year-old JFRD engineer who died in crashSt. Augustine replacing downtown parking kiosks with cashless touchscreensLoved ones mourn Jacksonville father of 4 killed in apartment shootingHundreds participate in Jacksonville ‘No Kings’ rally against Trump administration1:02Flagler College students protest housing policy as seniors cite affordability, availability concernsFlagler College students protest housing policy as seniors cite affordability, availability concernsIt's a great day for Jumbo Shrimp baseball! Join us tonight for the home opening weekendGAME DAY ⚾🦐 The defending Triple-A National Champion Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp returnDuval County schools warns families about unsanctioned ‘senior skip day’ at Jacksonville BeachShould an HOA or property management company be required to post parking rules for visitors?240 new affordable housing units are for ‘people who keep this city running,’ councilman saysFights erupt at Palatka Junior-Senior High after field trip focused on mental healthThe Block Jax owner continues working on parking solutions ahead of busy sports weekendMother of teen punched during arrest says officer went too farSlow down & move over: Ride-along with JSO traffic patrol drives home important safety reminders
U.S. News Tim Bearden Jorge Loweree Technology
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
DNA test connects Jacksonville family to WWII POW missing for over 80 yearsA World War II Navy sailor is finally being laid to rest after being considered missing in action for more than 80 years. Modern technology and DNA testing made it possible — and his only known family members are right here in Jacksonville.
Read more »
The Turin Shroud bears DNA from many people, plants and animalsResearchers have identified genetic material from a vast range of organisms contaminating the shroud, said to have wrapped Jesus's body, further complicating the question of the cloth's true origin
Read more »
Two people may share the same DNA, but don't always have the same sexuality.Epigenetics and differences in prenatal hormone exposure can help explain how two people can share the same DNA, but not necessarily share the same sexuality.
Read more »
The Shroud of Turin bears DNA from many people, plants and animalsResearchers have identified genetic material from a vast range of organisms contaminating the shroud, said to have wrapped Jesus's body, further complicating the question of the cloth's true origin
Read more »
Georgia proposal could take DNA swabs from immigrants in custody for minor offensesATLANTA (AP) — Over the past three decades, the collection of DNA from convicted criminals has become standard in the U.S. justice system, and many states now
Read more »
Georgia bill could take DNA from immigrants for minor offensesA proposal in Georgia could allow DNA to be collected from immigrants taken into custody for minor offenses. The bill awaiting a final vote in the state legislature would make Georgia the third state to single out immigrants believed to be in the U.S. illegally for the collection of genetic materials that wouldn't be taken from others.
Read more »