03/28/2026
Canadian Man Says DNA Was Collected at U.S. Border After Refusing to Comply
A retired Canadian scientist says he was denied entry into the United States after refusing to provide a DNA sample at the border, raising questions about travellers’ rights and security screening practices.
Kevin Larson, a retired health physicist from Kincardine, Ontario, attempted to cross into Michigan in October 2025 to attend a political demonstration known as a “No Kings Rally.” According to reports, U.S. border officials detained Larson for several hours, took his fingerprints and photograph, searched his phone, and requested a DNA sample.
Larson initially refused the cheek swab but says officers warned he could face serious consequences if he did not comply. He ultimately provided the sample and was then denied entry into the United States.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has broad authority to conduct searches and collect biometric information at ports of entry, particularly when officers believe additional screening is necessary. However, the reported collection of DNA from a Canadian traveller who was not charged with a crime has sparked concern among civil liberties advocates and lawmakers.
Two members of the U.S. Congress have since raised Larson’s case with federal agencies, requesting clarification on the circumstances surrounding the incident and the policies governing DNA collection at the border.
Larson has spoken publicly about the experience and is now organizing a local rally in Owen Sound, Ontario, saying he believes the incident raises important questions about privacy, political expression, and cross border travel.
For now, officials have not indicated that DNA collection is routine for Canadian travellers, and millions continue to cross the border each year without incident. Still, the case has drawn attention on both sides of the border and may prompt further review of border screening practices.
👉Question:
Do you think border authorities should have the power to collect DNA from travellers who have not been charged with a crime?
