Protect immigrants; oppose invasive screening, particularly of minors
How would you feel if the federal government compelled you and your 10-year-old child to submit to an invasive screening that includes DNA testing, iris and face scans, and voice and palm prints in order to obtain a benefit offered freely to others? How would you feel if you had to go through this process after you and your child suffered domestic abuse?
Would you feel your privacy had been breached? Would you feel safe about the data the government is collecting from you?
That is exactly what the Department of Homeland Security intends to do. On Sept. 11, DHS proposed a rule that would drastically expand the level of surveillance and invasiveness, as well as the amount of data, collected from immigrants and U.S. citizens who sponsor them.
“If you are a U.S. citizen and want to bring your non-citizen spouse, parents, or sons and daughters to the United States, you will be subject to this rule,” said Elket Rodríguez, CBF’s and Fellowship Southwest’s immigrant and refugee advocacy and missions specialist. “Immigrants who want to become a legal permanent resident must provide this information, too.”
The most tragic proposition would remove an age restriction—14 years old—currently required to collect this biometric data on children seeking an immigration benefit, even if they were victims of trafficking or domestic violence, Rodríguez said. To make matters worse, the genetic information would remain in DHS custody indefinitely, preserving intimate and sensitive data for generations to come, he added.
“This proposal is issued at a time when DHS is under severe scrutiny for expelling 8,800 children and placing them in hotels without proper care and safety,” he noted. “DHS also is being questioned regarding allegations that several immigrant women were subject to forced sterilizations at the Irwin County Detention Center in Georgia.”
You can speak out against this proposed rule, Rodríguez urged.
“Make a comment expressing how this rule rivals with your Christian values of welcoming the neighbor and loving the stranger,” he said. “Stress the fact this rule would be burdensome to those seeking to immigrate to the United States, including children and persons victims of abuse and trafficking.”
The comment phase for the proposed rule is open until Tuesday, Oct. 13.
To read the proposed rule, click here.
To comment on the rule, use CLINIC’s click-to comment letter before 3:00 p.m. Central Time Oct. 13.
Join “CBF Conversations” for two upcoming episodes on immigration:
Oct. 21, 1 p.m. Central Time — Listen to the stories of Itzayana and Jemima, Baptist DACA recipients, as they share the uncertainties they experience every day due to a broken immigration system.
Oct. 27, 1 p.m. Central Time — CBF field personnel Greg Smith of Virginia and Marc Wyatt of North Carolina and Ruth Project founder Anyra Cano of Texas will talk about how to think and act biblically on immigration.