A group of House Republicans, led by Rep. Andy Biggs, has written to FBI Director Christopher Wray expressing extreme concerns about a reported 15-month backlog in DNA testing for illegal immigrants.
The lawmakers, prompted by a Daily Caller report, highlight the potential national security risks, emphasizing that criminal illegal aliens could move freely for over a year before law enforcement can act on DNA evidence, Fox News reports.
The surge in migrant encounters at the southern border, with over 2.4 million in fiscal year 2023 and a record-breaking 302,000 encounters in December alone, has led to a significant increase in DNA samples needing processing. Wray has reportedly voiced his concern about the backlog, acknowledging the strain on resources due to the massive influx of migrants.
Customs and Border Protection’s reported shortage of DNA test kits, leading to the omission of testing for eligible illegal immigrants, further complicates the situation. The lawmakers argue that despite the inability to test all eligible individuals, the FBI is experiencing a substantial backlog in processing the test kits, highlighting the gravity of the immigration crisis.
The letter underscores additional challenges faced by border agents, including the record-breaking number of individuals on the terror watch list and the use of fake passports by some aliens posing as unaccompanied children to secure release into the U.S. The lawmakers express distress over the border crisis and contend that a backlog in testing DNA for illegal aliens will exacerbate the issue.
In their letter, the lawmakers seek information on whether the FBI has increased or decreased personnel working on the backlog, the agency’s efforts to reduce the backlog, and the reasons behind the current funding shortage for the progsram. This initiative aligns with the ongoing debate in Congress over the White House’s supplemental funding request, which includes over $105 billion, including $14 billion for border funding. Republicans are calling for increased limits on asylum and stricter controls on the administration’s use of parole.
