Alabama’s new law requiring biometric data collection from undocumented immigrants officially took effect at the start of this month. The legislation, known as SB63, mandates that law enforcement agencies across the state collect fingerprints and DNA samples from individuals in custody who are not lawfully present in the United States. It is widely seen as one of the most aggressive state-level biometric data initiatives in the United States.
Mandatory Biometric Collection From Individuals in Custody
Under SB63, police officers and sheriff’s departments are now required to obtain both fingerprint and DNA samples from undocumented immigrants who enter their custody, regardless of whether they have been formally charged or convicted of a crime. The samples must be submitted to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, where they are added to state databases for cataloging and analysis.
While the law’s language specifically targets individuals not legally present in the U.S., immigrant advocacy groups argue that it will have broader consequences. Organizations including the ACLU of Alabama have condemned the measure, warning that it could lead to widespread racial profiling and invasive surveillance practices. Critics have drawn comparisons to earlier legislation, such as Alabama’s SB53, which required law enforcement to determine immigration status during routine stops. Although SB63 applies only to those already in custody, civil rights advocates say it reinforces a pattern of state-level measures that erode due process protections and privacy rights.
Privacy Concerns and Broader Surveillance Trends
Civil liberties groups have raised alarms about how the collected biometric data will be stored, shared, and secured. Although SB63 does not explicitly mandate integration with federal systems, critics worry that the information could ultimately be used by federal agencies, feeding into larger biometric surveillance frameworks such as those overseen by the Department of Homeland Security.
The law’s rollout coincides with ongoing federal efforts to expand biometric capabilities. DHS has been piloting advanced identity verification tools through initiatives like the Remote Identity Validation Technology Demonstrations. Such programs aim to develop more efficient systems for verifying identity through facial recognition, fingerprinting, and other biometric methods, reflecting a nationwide trend toward increased use of such technologies in law enforcement and immigration control.
At the legislative level, federal proposals such as H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, have called for heightened immigration enforcement powers, including expedited removal processes. While H.R. 1 does not focus specifically on biometric collection at the state level, its broader push for stricter enforcement underscores the national political climate in which laws like SB63 are emerging.
Sources: Yellowhammer News, APR, LULAC
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June 6, 2025 – by Cass Kennedy
