An internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) email chain was exposed in a report published on Friday by the Daily Caller News Foundation that exposes a staggering backlog in the FBI’s DNA testing program for migrants. The testing protocols are now running 15 months in arrears, posing significant additional risks to U.S. border security and immigration vetting processes.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) relies on the FBI for DNA testing of migrants aged 14 and older. The testing system is crumbling under fiscal strains and the unprecedented record surge in illegal immigration hammering the entire nation under the mismanagement of Joe Biden. FBI Director Christopher Wray recently acknowledged the dangers involved in his agency’s inability to keep up, citing a “dramatic increase” in DNA samples linked to the migrant influx.

EXCLUSIVE: FBI Has Massive 15 Month Backlog On DNA Testing For Migrants, Unearthed Emails Show https://t.co/RRCIykt9bA via @dailycaller

— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) December 29, 2023

The situation is further exacerbated by financial constraints. “The FBI doesn’t have enough money to run the program which is a statutory requirement,” a CBP official disclosed. Previously, DNA test results were available within two months, but the current delay has drastically reduced the efficiency of this critical security measure.

The implications of this backlog are far-reaching. In 2022 and 2023, the U.S. witnessed a record number of illegal border crossings, with over 2 million encounters each year. The FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) is pivotal in connecting offenders to crimes, but its current state compromises its efficacy.

One of the more alarming revelations in the email chain is that migrants, unless wanted for crimes, are typically released from CBP custody before DNA analysis is completed. This gap in the process raises serious concerns about the potential release of individuals who may pose a security threat.

Additionally, the issue of fraudulent family claims at the border is highlighted. A DHS pilot program found significant numbers of so-called families to be fraudulent. Such findings underscore the importance of robust DNA testing at the border, a tool essential in discerning genuine familial relationships from deceitful attempts to exploit U.S. immigration policies.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has also flagged deficiencies in the CBP’s collection of DNA samples. Despite recommendations, the GAO reports that CBP has yet to address these issues adequately, further complicating the situation.

The looming expiration of the Title 42 restriction, a pandemic-era measure used to expel migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, is set to add further strain to an already overwhelmed system. Wray, in testimony before a House appropriations panel, expressed concern about the anticipated increase in border crossings and the consequent surge in DNA samples.

The FBI’s plea for additional funding, amounting to $53 million, is a testament to the urgency of the situation. Wray’s request highlights the need for enhanced capacity to deal with the expected influx of samples after the end of enforcement of Title 42.

This backlog hampers the Border Patrol’s ability to effectively manage border security as it also impedes the FBI’s role in aiding ongoing criminal investigations. The delay in DNA testing creates a direct risk that already over-stretched law enforcement resources will miss opportunities to solve serious crimes being committed by the millions of illegal migrants Joe Biden is actively turning loose on the American public.