The FBI has amassed an astonishing 21.7 million DNA profiles, which is approximately 7 percent of the entire U.S. population, as per data reviewed by The Intercept.

To manage its DNA catalog, the FBI is seeking a significant increase in its budget. It aims to nearly double its current allocation of $56.7 million by requesting an additional $53.1 million for fiscal year 2024. This appeal for more funds is attributed to the growing number of DNA samples collected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

FBI Director Christopher Wray highlighted the factors behind this expansion in an April 2023 statement submitted to Congress. He stated that the FBI's monthly collection of DNA samples has surged to about 90,000, a figure over 10 times higher than historical levels. This is projected to further increase to around 120,000 monthly samples, totaling approximately 1.5 million new DNA samples annually.

However, this rapid expansion is raising concerns among advocates for civil liberties. Vera Eidelman, a staff attorney specializing in genetic privacy at the American Civil Liberties Union, emphasized that this trend is pushing the nation closer to the concept of a universal DNA database. The surge in the FBI's DNA sample volume is largely attributed to a rule change during the Trump administration that mandated DNA collection from migrants arrested or detained by immigration authorities.