Beginning today U.S. to collect DNA samples of arrested immigrants

[Liberal_in_LA]

U.S. to collect DNA samples of arrested immigrants

The Justice Department defends the new policy as an important crime-fighting tool. Activists see it as a violation of privacy.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-dna9-2009jan09,0,4493427.story

By Anna Gorman
January 9, 2009

Beginning today, the U.S. government will collect DNA samples from people arrested and detained for suspected immigration violations, despite concerns that the move violates their privacy rights.

The new Justice Department policy also will expand DNA collection to people arrested on suspicion of committing federal crimes. Previously, the government only obtained DNA from people convicted of certain crimes.

Pro- and anti-immigration advocates invoke the economy
Rules will allow DNA samples from federal detainees
The samples will be added to the national database and used to make identifications through comparisons with crime scene evidence, according to the Justice Department.

"The collection of DNA samples is an important crime-fighting and crime-solving tool," said Evan Peterson, a spokesman for the department.

The American Civil Liberties Union said Thursday that it was considering filing a lawsuit and that it would closely monitor the collection of DNA samples.


"We will be looking to see whether mistakes are made," said Barry Steinhardt, director of the ACLU's technology and liberty program.

Steinhardt said he had "grave concerns" about the rapid expansion of the DNA database to include immigrant detainees and people accused of committing crimes.

[Cleita]

1. Why? Do they want to clone more workers without having to

worry about their immigrant status?