Georgia proposal could take DNA swabs from immigrants in custody for minor offenses

Georgia proposal could take DNA swabs from immigrants in custody for minor offenses A proposal in Georgia could allow DNA to be collected from immigrants taken into custody for minor offenses By CHARLOTTE KRAMON Associated Press and DAVID A. LIEB Associated Press March 31, 2026, 12:07 AM ATLANTA -- 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 also swab people arrested for serious crimes. Legislation awaiting a final vote in Georgia would take that a step further by collecting DNA from people charged with less serious misdemeanors — but only if federal immigration authorities want them detained. That could include immigrants not ultimately deported. If enacted, Georgia's measure would make it the third state to single out immigrants believed to be in the U.S. illegally for the collection of genetic material that wouldn't be taken from others. Florida passed a similar law in 2023. And Oklahoma in 2009 authorized DNA collection from immigrants in the U.S. illegally, though it remains subject to funding. The new legislation comes as President Donald Trump's administration seeks to expand its use of DNA and biometrics in immigration enforcement as it carries out a plan to deport millions of people from the U.S. "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 und...