DHS/CBP/PIA-071 Operational Use of Familial DNA

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is implementing Familial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing as a factor to determine if an adult claiming to be the biological parent of a child is, in fact, the biological parent. Such testing will help to identify individuals who are fraudulently representing themselves as a family unit when apprehended by DHS. Additionally, such Familial DNA testing is being implemented for purposes of complying with a court order in Ms. L v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), 3:18-cv-00428 (S.D. Cal), which requires DNA testing prior to any separation of an adult and child based on concerns of parentage. CBP is conducting this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) to provide transparency about the limited scope of DNA collection for the purpose of Familial DNA testing, which compares two DNA profiles (adult and child) to determine whether a biological parent-child relationship exists, and to outline and explain how CBP will mitigate privacy risks associated with Familial DNA. September 2021

Associated SORN(s)

• DHS/CBP-023
• DHS/CBP-011
• DHS/ALL-021