US lawyers are demanding answers after a Canadian man says border police forced him to give a DNA sample

US lawyers are demanding answers from the Trump administration after a Canadian man says US police detained him for three hours at the border and forced him to give a DNA sample before sending him home.

US Rep. Debbie Dingell, a Democrat who represents the Michigan area outside Detroit, says she is “outraged” by the man’s experience.

Earlier this week, he wrote a letter alongside Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin – the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee – to the Departments of Homeland Security, State and Justice seeking information about the “unusual incident.”

“This kind of hostile and indiscriminate treatment at the border could damage our most important relationship which has already been abused by President Trump’s insults to Canadians and threats to take over their country,” the statement said. the book has been read.

The spate of responses comes as some Canadians limit or avoid traveling to the US altogether, with many citing fear of how border authorities will treat them.

Dingell says he became aware of the matter last weekend since a Substack reporter who put her in touch with a Canadian man, a 68-year-old nuclear power plant worker who lives just north of Kincardine, Ont.

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Kevin Larson says he has crossed the border many times over the years without problem, often to visit family, or sometimes for training as part of his work as a health care professional.

On the morning of October 18, 2025, he attempted to enter the US at the Blue Water Bridge near Sarnia, Ont. He says he wanted to join Americans in a “No Kings” rally across the river in Port Huron, Mich., “For reasons of interest in Canada, but also to let them know we care.”

“I was very concerned about the Trump administration calling us the 51st district,” Larson said Wednesday. “We’ve been friends for generations and friends, and he just threw it out the window.”

Larson said he felt there was a good chance he would be turned away at the border, “but I didn’t expect the treatment I got,” he said.

He says he has no criminal record, and brought a Canadian flag to the event, printed copies of the meeting instructions, and a change of clothes in case he “got a flat tire and had to sleep.”

‘If you don’t give us a DNA sample, we can charge you’

Larson says that when he told US Customs and Border Protection why he wanted to enter the country, he was sent for a second screening. At the office, he had to sign a form saying he would not provide “significant support or resources” to foreign terrorist organizations – specifically, drug cartels – a copy of which he provided to CBC Windsor.

“I signed that. It’s not a big deal. I’m not a criminal,” he said with a laugh.

He says the border police questioned him, searched his phone and car, took his fingerprints and photo, and finally refused to let him in.

But Larson says the police then told him he had to take a DNA sample from his cheek before he could go home.

“I said, ‘No, I consider that a secret. I won’t do it,'” he said. “Then they explained, ‘Sir, if you don’t give us a DNA sample, we can charge you, and it will be a felony if you’re found guilty,’ something like that.” I said, ‘No, I’m not going to give you a DNA sample.

Larson says the manager then took him to a private room. “He actually read the law that said to ask for my DNA. ‘It’s a crime if you’re found guilty, sir. It’s a maximum sentence of one year,'” he said.

Larson says he was “terrified” and eventually complied, in part to avoid a lengthy ban that would have prevented him from visiting a cousin in Georgia in the future. He was then allowed to drive back across the bridge to Canada.

CBP did not respond to a request for an interview, but a 2025 guidance states that the border agency “collects DNA samples and matches them with biographical information for submission [the DOJ/FBI Combined DNA Index System] to all persons arrested for criminal charges and to aliens detained in CBP custody who have their fingerprints taken.” It also states that CBP “may refer individuals who fail to cooperate in the collection of a DNA sample for prosecution.”

However, the guidance states that DNA collection does not apply to “[a]that are lawfully attached or being processed for lawful admission to the United States” or those held at the point of entry “during consideration of admission, and are not subject to arrest or prosecution.”

In the records Larson shared, Customs officials wrote that he provided “[i]sufficient evidence” of his “intent to enter the US” as a reason for their denial of admission.

Larson disputes that. “There was never a time when they asked the purpose of my arrival,” he said. “They never challenged that.”

The FBI form he provided lists two alleged offenders as part of the “charge/citation”: “Immigrant w/out Docs” and “Inadmissibility of alien under Section 212(a),” which seems to work for those who have had an “unlawful presence” in the US

Larson says he had his Canadian passport, so he doesn’t understand the first act of trespassing.

“I consider both of these statements to be false,” he said. “I am saddened by the language in these documents because it does not show the truth and understanding of what was happening there.”

Larson says the border officials he dealt with were professional, but he believes they made a mistake in taking his DNA and wants it removed from the FBI database.

“I don’t even want to apologize,” he said. “I think the border people are doing their job, and I hope we can get through it.”

In response to questions about the removal process, the FBI said “The Lab Division has standard operating procedures and practices that comply with Federal Laws,” and declined to comment further.

US attorney promises to ‘get answers’

Dingell, who grew up near Port Huron along the St.

In his letter with Raskin – a constitutional lawyer – the two request legal administrative reasons for taking Larson’s DNA, if this has happened to others, as well as the way DNA is stored and the process of removing it, among other things.

“[Raskin] He didn’t think about what happened or why that was allowed, that’s why he joined me in sending the letter.” “There was no evidence of any warrants, of any criminal history. There was nothing.”

Dingell says they don’t have answers yet, but they’ll keep pushing until they do. “We are both known for determination, and we will find answers,” he said. “If we have to introduce legislation, have a hearing, we will do just that.”

Dingell said he wants Canadians to know that the people of Michigan understand the “precious relationship” between the two countries and want to preserve it.

“We love you,” she said. “How can you live so close without family, friends and society?”

Larson is helping to organize a “No Tyrants” rally in Owen Sound this Saturday. He won’t be making another trip to the US yet, he says. He’s made one trip since last October — entering the Windsor-Detroit crossing — and says CBP caught him an hour before they brought him into the country.

“My wife and I had many discussions, and we have decided that we will not go to the States until the administration changes or something changes,” he said. “It is very scary, we have told our cousin that he must come to see us.”

Larson remains optimistic about the future of Canada-US relations. “We are very close to our friends in the States,” he said. “Most of us are hopeful that we can get back to that and get through this difficult time right now. A lot of people are saying that the damage is permanent, but I’m hopeful that we can get through that.”