In addition, Benner said, “This is a pilot designed to assess the usefulness of this technology in an investigative process.” He went on to say that the DNA testing is a “new ground” for the DHS.
Preventing traffickers from abusing and using children to circumvent U.S. immigration system
National Border Patrol Council President Brandon Judd supports DNA testing as a way to protect children from abuse. According to him, “Rapid DNA is really the only way that we are going to positively be able to identify these children. Even if the cost is great, in order to protect these children, I think the cost is well worth it.”
Meanwhile, Roy Villareal, the sector chief of Border Patrol in Tucson, Arizona believes that DNA testing will be effective in identifying groups of migrants pretending as family units.
In an interview with KTAR News, Villareal said border agents requested the pilot program after witnessing that human traffickers are using children to take advantage of the loophole in the U.S. immigration system.
