- United States
- Mich.
- Letter
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the Department of Homeland Security's proposed rule change that would allow DNA sex testing for immigrants and visitors to the United States. This proposal is not only a gross invasion of privacy but also a potential violation of human rights that could lead to widespread discrimination.
The proposed rule change would permit DHS to collect and use DNA evidence to determine biological sex and genetic relationships for immigration and naturalization purposes. This policy is fundamentally flawed and ignores the complex nature of human biology and gender identity. It fails to recognize that a person's chromosomes do not define their character or their expressed gender. Moreover, it disregards the fact that many individuals are intersex, further complicating the notion of a binary biological sex determination.
This rule change could have far-reaching consequences, potentially affecting events like the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles by complicating visa requests for athletes. It also raises serious concerns about mass surveillance and privacy violations, as highlighted by numerous medical groups, politicians, and human rights organizations who have voiced their opposition.
Implementing such a policy would be an egregious waste of resources. Instead of focusing on arbitrary genetic markers, our immigration system should prioritize assessing an individual's character, skills, and potential contributions to our society. DNA testing for sex determination is irrelevant to these factors and could lead to unjust treatment of transgender, intersex, and gender non-conforming individuals.
I urge you to take immediate action to oppose this proposed rule change. As my representative, I ask that you speak out against this policy, work to prevent its implementation, and advocate for immigration policies that respect human rights, privacy, and the diversity of gender identities. The 60-day public comment period has begun, making it crucial to act swiftly to prevent this discriminatory and invasive policy from becoming a reality.