KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2024 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Trial Run Of DNA Testing For Migrants Who Cross U.S.-Mexico Border To Begin Soon

DNA testing of some migrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border and claim to be family could start as early as next week, but it is unclear if the pilot program will come to Arizona.

Homeland Security officials spoke about the DNA testing pilot program on the condition that they not be publicly identified. They said authorities recently found 29 cases where migrants were suspected of lying about being a family. They also said the trial will show if DNA testing can help catch migrants trying to game the system to get released inside the United States.

Migrants who agree to be tested will swab their own cheek and then their child’s. Results will be ready in about two hours, the officials said.

Homeland Security officials would not say where DNA testing will occur.

Federal agents were recently sent to Yuma to probe whether migrants are using fake documents like birth certificates to say that they are families.  

Matthew Casey has won Edward R. Murrow awards for hard news and sports reporting since he joined KJZZ as a senior field correspondent in 2015.