The Trump administration is proposing a sweeping expansion of the United States’ biometric data collection programme, allowing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to collect DNA and other biological identifiers from nearly everyone applying for or associated with an immigration benefit — including children.

The draft regulation marks one of the most far-reaching surveillance measures in US immigration history and could affect millions of people each year.

Until now, the agency generally limited biometrics collection to certain categories, such as adult applicants for green cards or visas. The new rule would change that, making biometrics mandatory for nearly all applicants and even for those linked to an application, such as family members.

In addition, the rule would permit DHS t

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