Joco Today

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall has joined forces with Senator Chuck Grassley in urging President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to ensure the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) collects DNA samples from every immigrant they encounter, as mandated by the DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005.

According to whistleblowers, DHS's failure to collect DNA samples has hindered law enforcement's ability to prevent violent crimes. The agency reportedly missed three opportunities to obtain DNA from an illegal immigrant who was later involved in the murder of Rachel Morin, a mother of five from Maryland.

"It is beyond heartbreaking to know that my daughter’s brutal death could have been prevented," said Patty Morin, Rachel Morin's mother. "This isn’t just a bureaucratic oversight; it’s a deadly failure that turned a protective measure into a hollow promise."

Senators Marshall and Grassley emphasized the importance of adhering to legal obligations and protecting American citizens. "Following the law, protecting whistleblowers and ensuring the safety of American citizens like Rachel Morin shouldn’t be controversial," they wrote in their letter addressed to President Biden and Vice President Harris. "The Biden-Harris administration’s DHS must follow the law—the consequences are stark when they don’t."

The DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005 requires federal law enforcement agencies to collect DNA from individuals arrested, charged, convicted, or detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). However, whistleblower reports indicate that less than 40 percent of over 10 million known illegal immigrants have had their DNA collected during the current administration. Additionally, a CBP official visiting major border facilities in Arizona and California observed no ongoing DNA collection activities.

Whistleblowers who disclosed these issues have faced severe retaliation for bringing DHS's shortcomings to Congress's attention.