ICE Taking DNA Samples from Arrested Protestors

Friday, March 20, 2026

Ben says he was held in custody for about three hours. Before his release, officers photographed and fingerprinted him. Then, before Ben realized fully what was happening, an officer ran a swab, similar to a Q-tip, along the inside of his cheek. "It was super casual," Ben says. "It was just like, 'okay, yeah so we're going to take this now.

Posted by Corky at 09:32 AM | 9 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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ICE officers are taking DNA samples from protesters they've arrested

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-- Jon Cooper (@joncooper-us.bsky.social) Mar 19, 2026 at 2:53 PM

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"What law enforcement would say is, 'these were people that were facing charges,'" Murphy says.

"What are the charges they're facing if it's civil immigration authorities doing what seems to be unlawful interference with First Amendment rights? Even if that's the asserted basis, is that constitutional? I think the answer should be clearly no."

#1 | Posted by Corky at 2026-03-19 11:47 AM | Reply

The federal government does have broad authority to take DNA from people it has arrested or who are facing charges. In fact, in a statement to NPR, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said federal law actually requires federal law enforcement to collect DNA samples from individuals arrested or facing charges.

So what's the problem, then? Don't like the law, then vote for people who will change it.

Or you can go with Ralph Nader/Jill Stein 2028!

#2 | Posted by censored at 2026-03-19 11:58 AM | Reply

Precious bodily fluids.

#3 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2026-03-19 12:00 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

JPW collects DNA samples from truckers at the Flying J, but he's a scientist.

#4 | Posted by fortfisher at 2026-03-19 12:44 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

Stupid sack of s*&^ chimes in with gay fantasies even when nobody has addressed him.

#5 | Posted by jpw at 2026-03-19 01:07 PM | Reply

Again, another solid zinger. Is the concept of self deprecating humor completely lost on you? Is your own ego so inflated you are imcapable of laughing at yourself? Ever?

#6 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-03-19 01:10 PM | Reply

Hmm...jokes have to contain some smidge of actual humor Ringy-Dinger. Fart farmer evidently belives resorting to Jr high knee-jerk aspersions on one's suspected orientation makes his jokes zing at someone' undeserved expense.

#7 | Posted by dutch46 at 2026-03-19 10:12 PM | Reply

Sinister

#8 | Posted by hamburglar at 2026-03-20 10:56 AM | Reply

"Is the concept of self deprecating humor completely lost on you?"

It's clearly lost on you.

There's no self deprecating humor anywhere in this thread.

#9 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-03-20 11:53 AM | Reply