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The Government will take DNA samples from 6 million migrants: neither children nor US citizens will be 'saved'

2020-09-11T19:05:04.864Z


The Department of Homeland Security may also request voice recording, and iris and face scanning. The tests could be repeated every year and cost nearly $ 100.


WASHINGTON DC— With the stated purpose of eradicating immigration fraud, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to collect DNA samples and other biometric data from more than six million visa applicants annually, in an effort that does not will forgive children or US citizens who sponsor family members. 

DHS published a regulation on Friday that, once implemented and unless changed, will affect all

family reunification

visa and

green card

applicants

Specifically, the regulation published in the federal registry drastically expands the category of who would be subject to the measure;

the type of biometric data required (includes DNA testing, voice log, and iris and face scanning);

and how often they must deliver them.

The regulation, which has been rejected by pro-immigrant groups, 

will apply to "every applicant, sponsor, beneficiary or individual"

who initiates an immigration process -before it was only for certain benefits-, and even to US citizens, regardless of age , indicates the document of more than 300 pages.

Millions more targeted

Currently, the Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) already collects biometric information from 3.9 million visa applicants;

With the new regulation, the annual figure would increase to 6.1 million.

Thus, DHS expects to increase data collection from 46% today to 71.2% of applicants.

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Sept.

2, 202001: 34

The regulation would apply to both children and US citizens who petition their relatives

 with the idea of ​​verifying the kinship of the applicants.

In the case of children, DHS explained that the regulation will allow to stop the fraud of people who pose as their parents to achieve their quick release and that, according to the Government, it is something that coyotes take full advantage of at the border south.

The measure will also affect refugee or asylum applicants, citizenship applicants, victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, religious workers, or foreigners who enter the United States on work visas.

If I apply for asylum and have not been called for fingerprints and the 150 days for the work permit have passed, can I renew it?

June 25, 202000: 36

Children who have already submitted their biometric data would have to do it again within 30 days after reaching the age of 14, according to the regulations.

DHS estimates that this part of the regulation would affect up to 63,000 children under the age of 14.

USCIS would also have the prerogative to require these biometric data every year, if it deems it necessary, despite the cost of $ 85 that the process entails.

Those who do not comply with the requirement would run the risk of losing their visa and other immigration benefits.

Acting Undersecretary of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli argued last week that the measure aims to modernize the biometric data collection system, turning it into a completely digital system.

“Taking advantage of available technologies to verify the identity of an individual subject to a background check

is responsible governance

.

The collection of biometric information also protects against identity theft and blocks those who commit fraud by impersonating who they are not, ”he said.

Acting Under Secretary for Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli speaks during a press conference at DHS headquarters in Washington on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020. (AP Photo / Susan Walsh) AP / AP

Although it is a complex regulation, DHS has only allowed 30 days for public comment, until October 13, when the normal is 60 days, after which it could modify it before putting it into effect.

A "monstrous" measure 

Immigrant rights groups have accused the Administration of exceeding and violating people's privacy, and they do not rule out a possible battle in the courts to stop the regulation once it is put into effect.

Two experts consulted by Noticias Telemundo agreed that the measure is "extreme" and not justified, especially since there are no indications of significant immigration fraud since the fingerprint system went digital.

"Nothing prevents USCIS from asking any foreigner for this information every year, even a legal resident who has been established in this country for many years, as long as they do not obtain citizenship," said Sarah Pierce, an analyst at the Migration Policy Institute (MPI, in English).

"Everyone should be concerned that now no one would be safe from this requirement, not even children. It is an extreme, invasive measure, and there is nothing to justify it," he emphasized.

For her part, Jill Bussey, director of advocacy for the CLINIC group, considered it to be "a monstrous measure" and involves "indefinite surveillance, both of immigrants and citizens," even if they are not a threat to national security.

"The Government maintains this terrible narrative of fraud and rampant abuse of the system to adopt a policy that we believe will exacerbate the delay in USCIS procedures.

This measure seeks to instill fear and reduce legal immigration

, and will affect the most vulnerable people who they are fleeing persecution, "he added.

"Legal residents have to submit to this until they obtain citizenship, but also citizens will have to submit to this surveillance if they want to bring their relatives," he stressed.

Source: telemundo

All news articles on 2020-09-11

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