Civil and digital rights experts are horrified by a proposed rule change that would allow the Department of Homeland Security to collect a wide range of sensitive biometric data on all immigrants, without age restrictions, and store that data throughout each person’s “lifecycle” in the immigration system.
If adopted, the rule change would allow DHS agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to broadly collect facial imagery, finger and palm prints, iris scans, and voice prints. They may also request DNA, which DHS claimed “would only be collected in limited circumstances,” like to verify family relations. These updates would cost taxpayers $288.7 million annually, DHS estimated, including $57.1 million for DNA collection alone. Annual individual charges to immigrants submitting data will likely be similarly high, estimated at around $231.5 million.
Costs could be higher, DHS admitted, especially if DNA testing is conducted more widely than projected.
This topic raises important concerns about privacy and children’s rights. It’s essential to have open discussions about the implications of such policies. Thank you for shedding light on this issue.
You’re right; the implications for privacy and children’s rights are significant. It’s crucial that we ensure any data collection is transparent and includes robust safeguards to protect vulnerable populations. Open discussions can lead to better policies that prioritize the well-being of children.