The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a proposed rule that would significantly expand the collection and use of biometric data—including fingerprints, facial images, iris scans, voiceprints, and even DNA—from individuals involved in immigration processes. Under this plan, both immigrants and U.S. citizens connected to immigration filings could be required to provide detailed biometric information regardless of age or immigration status. The DHS argues that these measures will improve identity verification, fraud prevention, and national security vetting.
However, the proposal has drawn concern from immigration advocates and privacy experts who warn that it could lead to continuous government monitoring of immigrant families and U.S. citizens alike. The rule would enable “continuous vetting,” allowing federal authorities to recheck and store biometric data indefinitely, raising questions about data privacy, civil liberties, and potential misuse of personal information. If approved, this expansion would mark one of the most significant shifts in U.S. immigration surveillance policy in decades.
Read the full analysis: https://migrantinsider.com/p/scoop-dhs-unleashes-historic-surveillance