ORR Issues Field Guidance on DNA Testing Expansion

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) issued field guidance on ORR’s Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) Bureau’s requirement of DNA testing to support proof of relationship between a potential sponsor and an unaccompanied child where a sponsor purports to be biologically related to the child, including guidance on sharing DNA test results with child, family, and/or potential sponsor; DNA record management policies; and transfer of children while DNA test results are pending. It outlines the proof of sponsor-child relationship and rapid DNA testing procedures, and references the DNA Testing Instruction Sheet for detailed instructions.