According to AP article, “US mulls DNA tests for some refugees”, the Obama administration is considering restarting a program it implemented in 2007 which required DNA testing for some refugee applicants. This could affect a large number of new I-730 petitions.
The original program in 2007 asked thousands of African refugees to prove relatedness to their family members in the U.S. According to the program results, only 20% of Kenyan cases were able to prove relationships.
The USCIS already requests immigration DNA testing for many family based I-130 petitions. If families are not able to prove relatedness using primary documentation such as birth certificates, or if the immigration officer suspects fraud for a different reason, then DNA testing is requested.
This brings into question the cultural differences in relatedness. While U.S. citizens see only biological relatives as brothers or sisters, it is not always the same in other nations. The issue of cultural difference is resolved with the U.S. immigration rules and regulations for family-based petitions. Rules clearly explain that petitioners and beneficiaries must be biologically related.
DNA testing for refugees, if implemented, will require petitioners to have their DNA collected in the U.S. and the refugee or asylee to be collected at the U.S. Embassy overseas. This testing process must be facilitated by an accredited DNA testing company in the U.S.
In essence, DNA testing for refugees will help enforce immigration law, and it is likely to dishearten many refugee families at the same time.
Picture Credit: Center For Refugee Studies
