Washington (CNN) The Department of Homeland Security will start a DNA testing pilot program next week to help identify and prosecute individuals posing as families in an effort to target human smuggling, two department officials confirmed to CNN. CBP will make a referral for investigation and ICE Homeland Security Investigations will take it from there, the senior official said. National Border Patrol Council President Brandon Judd said he supports the use of DNA testing as a means of preventing child abuse. "We're going to learn a lot from these (Homeland Security Investigations) teams that have deployed to El Paso and Rio Grande Valley," acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan said during a House hearing Tuesday. "They're bringing forensic interviewers, they're bringing biometric capability to try ensure that we establish those family relationships with clarity."

Source: CNN May 01, 2019 02:03 UTC