Fox’s first appearance: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) demands answers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about new data showing the FBI receives “alarmingly low” percentage of illegal immigrant DNA samples. ing.
In a letter to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting Commissioner Troy Miller and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Grassley issued a statement regarding CBP’s DNA collection of migrants arriving at the border. cites whistleblower data received by his office.
“These disclosures demonstrate that the FBI received an alarmingly low percentage of DNA samples during the first three quarters of fiscal year 2023,” he wrote.
House Republicans seek answers to past DNA tests on illegal immigrants
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) received whistleblower information about DNA testing at the southern border. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
According to statistics he cited, there were 865,333 encounters with immigrants in the first quarter of 2023, and the FBI received 347,231 DNA samples, or about 40%.
In the second quarter, the FBI received just 31.21%, while in the third quarter, that number was 37%. He previously requested data for fiscal year 2023, but said he had not received it.
“Given the record numbers of illegal immigrants, CBP encounters, and ICE detainees with criminal records, it is extremely concerning that CBP and DHS continue to fail to collect the DNA of illegal immigrants,” he said. “It will be done,” he said. “This failure weakens our justice system, empowers criminals to cross our borders illegally, and puts American lives at risk.”
Mayorkas tells Border Patrol agents there are ‘more than 85%’ of illegal immigrants released into US: Source
Grassley previously noted that in 2020, the Justice Department removed exemptions from the 2005 DNA Fingerprint Act, expanding the number of people who can be fingerprinted. Exemptions remain for those under 14 and those who already have a DNA profile, according to a recent report from the General Accounting Office (GAO).
But the government is also grappling with a shortage of test kits, with Republicans recently highlighting a reported 15-month backlog in DNA testing.
Grassley cited numerous reports showing examples of crimes involving undocumented immigrants through DNA matching, including unsolved cases, even though DNA efforts by federal authorities have been “inadequate.” There is.
In his letter, Grassley asks for a variety of information, but specifically about Jose Antonio Ibarra. He is the last confirmed illegal immigrant to be released into the United States after being recently charged with the murder of Georgia student Laken Riley. — Have been the subject of a DNA sample.
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He also requests data from the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024 to date, as well as additional plans for DNA fingerprint law enforcement. Fox contacted CBP and DHS.
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The letter comes as illegal immigration is expected to be the biggest issue in 2024. Polls show it’s a top concern for voters, and President Biden and former President Donald Trump visited the southern Texas border last week.
CBP officials told Fox News that they encountered more than 21,000 migrants in the past 72 hours, with the busiest area in Tucson with more than 5,400. While consistent with traditional spikes where numbers increase with the onset of spring, the numbers suggest a significant spike.
FOX News’ Griff Jenkins contributed to this report.
