Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has initiated a $10.1 million contract to enhance rapid DNA testing used to verify family relationships during immigration enforcement, as reported by federal records. This contract, with Virginia-based SNA International LLC, covers the period from August 10, 2023, to August 9, 2027. It supports ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) field offices.
ERO, a division of ICE, is responsible for immigration arrests, detentions, and removal operations. The contract covers DNA testing, equipment, and services to verify biological relationships, according to government descriptions.
Civil liberties and immigrant advocacy groups have expressed concerns about genetic testing in immigration enforcement. Critics emphasize issues of privacy and the handling of non-biological family relationships.
Stevie Glaberson, a director at Georgetown Law’s Center on Privacy & Technology, highlighted apprehensions about DNA collection and understanding among migrants. Glaberson noted that DNA differs from other biometric identifiers because it provides information about familial connections across generations.
Newsweek sought comments from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE’s parent agency. Steve Niezgoda, CEO of SNA International, stated that SNA does not publicly discuss government program details. Scott Mechkowski, a former deputy field office director for ERO in New York, acknowledged that rapid DNA testing isn’t new for immigration and aims to verify familial claims for minors’ guardianship.
This new contract follows a $6.24 million contract issued in 2025 for similar purposes. Together, they represent over $16 million in federal commitments to the program, as noted by USAspending.gov.
The rapid DNA initiative originated from SNA’s research for DHS through the Small Business Innovation Research program, referenced in a 2025 Government Accountability Office (GAO) decision. GAO noted ICE’s aim to counter false family relationship claims by those entering the U.S., necessitating DNA testing equipment, kits, and support.
Initially, SNA received a DHS research contract in 2019 to devise a DNA system for field testing. Subsequent developments included DNAConnect software and a support center. ICE later expanded this into a larger program, awarding SNA a sole-source Phase III contract.
This procurement was contested by Bode Technology, a forensic company that challenged the contract structure. GAO ultimately supported ICE, stating the program extended from SNA’s existing research.
Contract documentation indicates a two-year ordering period, permitting ICE to issue further task orders. The contract outlines provisions for DNA tests and services to confirm biological relationships at ERO field offices.
Records and the GAO decision lack explicit policies on consent, sample handling, data retention, or secondary uses of DNA results in this program. They also don’t specify actions when relationship claims aren’t verified.
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