Outraged: Canadian's DNA border incident triggers response from U.S. Rep. Dingell
Lawmaker reaching out to Justice, State Department, Homeland Security officials
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell said she was “immediately outraged” after reading a story on Saturday about a Canadian retiree with no known criminal record or suspected illegal activity who was required to provide a DNA sample or risk possible jail time while trying to cross the Blue Water Bridge into Port Huron, Michigan.
Kevin Larson, 68, of Kincardine, Ontario, talked exclusively with Shifting Gears about the experience and his family ties to the U.S. He revealed that his appeals to state and federal officials in the U.S. and Canada since mid-October have been fruitless.
Nothing made sense to him.
“It was excessive, unnecessary and disturbing,” said Larson, a health physicist who spent 35 years with federal security clearance at a nuclear power plant in Ontario, Canada, where he taught radiation safety to control room staff and reviewed work plans and procedures.
Nothing about the border incident made sense to Dingell, either.
“We’ve got to get answers. Someone’s DNA is something that is very personal that we shouldn’t be collecting” without good reason, Dingell said.
“I don’t understand the grounds that they had to take DNA,” she said. “I’m sending inquiries to the State Department, the Justice Department and Homeland Security asking how these DNA samples are being used, how they’re being stored, who’s managing it and how it’s being protected.”
Dingell: ‘I’m outraged’
Dingell, a Democrat who now represents Ann Arbor, was raised in St. Clair not far from the Blue Water Bridge. As someone who grew up looking at Canada every morning across the St. Clair River, she plans to get clarity as soon as possible. “I’m outraged. Canada is our friend.”
She said she asked her staff to immediately begin researching the situation and to prepare letters, then texted me to request permission to contact Larson. On the day he tried to cross the bridge to Michigan, he carried a Canadian flag in the back seat of his 2012 Ford Focus, headed to a “No Kings” rally in Pine Grove Park in Port Huron. Larson disclosed to the border agent his plan to attend the event.
Going to a peaceful protest has never been grounds for apprehension, Dingell said.
Canadians and Americans often go back and forth over the border to work, shop, eat and visit relatives.
“These are our friends and our neighbors,” Dingell said. “Growing up, we’d get in our little boat and go to Stag Island (in the St. Clair River between Marysville, Mich., and Corunna, Ontario) in the summer every day. Canada was closer than the next town over.”
When she read about Larson being forced to provide a DNA sample, Dingell said she was confused. “Can you find any reason why they had a right to take his DNA?”
Border rules
Shifting Gears reported that U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) responded to inquiries on this topic by providing links to federal protocols related to DNA collection and “Biometrics and Directives.”
Border officials are authorized to collect DNA from “individuals who are arrested, facing criminal charges or convicted, and from non-United States persons who are detained under the authority of the United States.”
However, the same document says, “CBP is NOT collecting DNA from persons encountered under the following circumstances: Aliens lawfully in, or being processed for lawful admission into the United States; Aliens held at a Port of Entry during consideration of admissibility and not subject to further detention or proceedings.”
Dingell said she failed to see how Larson’s case met protocol for requiring a DNA sample. This is why she is seeking legal counsel for review.
She said she is genuinely concerned about the handling of such sensitive data and planned to discuss the matter with U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee that oversees justice, immigration and civil liberties.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office website discusses DNA collection in the context of persons arrested on federal criminal charges or detained for immigration violations by CBP. But then the agency refers to collecting DNA from “certain detained non-citizens” as well as those arrested, facing charges or convicted of crimes.
Passport not enough
On Saturday, Larson provided additional documents from the border incident to Shifting Gears for review, including a full page filled with fingerprints.
He questioned the integrity of the paperwork completed by border officials.
One document says “insufficient evidence provided for intended purpose of entry to the U.S.” Larson said, “I see this as a false statement by CBP.”
Why? During the whole exchange between border officials and Larson, there was never any question raised by CBP about the purpose of his visit, he said. “Near the end of my processing, I specifically asked (CBP) Officer (James) Marks why I was being turned away and he said that it was due to the ‘nature of your planned activity.’”
On the front seat of his vehicle, Larson had printouts of a map to the rally location and an email from the organizer that advised where to park and said bringing a flag seemed be fine. Larson reviewed the papers with border officers.
“There was no doubt or any confusion whatsoever on my planned activity,” Larson said. “I’m assuming they looked at my travel bag in the car. Spare clothes just in case my car broke down and I had to spend the night. By this, they could have determined that I wasn’t planning to stay long. I wasn’t going somewhere to work illegally or anything.”
Larson provided to Shifting Gears a government form that listed his “date of arrest” and “date of offense” as Oct. 18, 2025, when he simply tried to cross the bridge. The charge is listed as “immigrant without docs.”
He signed the paperwork and allowed his DNA to be taken, worried about a risk of going to jail if he declined or the risk of not be allowed to enter the U.S. in the future.
In the middle of the whole process, Larson asked if he could just turn around and go home to Canada and forget the whole thing, but he was told a DNA sample was required. He finally did just go home but now wonders about who has his DNA sample and why.
“If they are going to take the DNA sample from a Canadian, I would suggest that after they confirm that the person has no connection to any crime, that they then destroy it. Same with finger-prints,” Larson said.
Currently, as a mentor in the Big Brother program in Canada, he must pass background and security checks to work with children — and has for years.
“When I just updated my police vulnerable sector check, I had to do fingerprinting. I had previously done that three years ago, and I asked why they didn’t use those prints. I was told that for member of the public not tied to any criminal investigation, after they do their checks, they destroy the fingerprints,” Larson said. “I think Canadians would feel safer if that were the process.”
Focusing on rule of law
Mayor Mike Bradley, who works just across the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia, Ontario, told Shifting Gears on Sunday that news of Dingell’s response is refreshing.
“Deeply appreciate that an elected member of Congress would stand up and speak out on behalf of Canadians and a respectful relationship at our mutual border crossings,” he said. “We understand the need for security. However, ‘til the past few years, it was generally fair and based on the rule of law. Gives hope that the tide is turning to restore and renew the U.S. and Canadian relationship in the years ahead.”
Cross-border conflicts, consequences
President Trump has remained steadfast in his criticism of Canada. In recent days, he (again) called Prime Minster Mark Carney the “future governor of Canada,” language perceived by Canadians to be a direct threat to the nation’s sovereignty.
“I think how the president is treating Canada … it is creating an enemy out of a country that is probably one of our most important allies,” Dingell said.
Not only is U.S. travel down among Canadians as the result of a boycott, but she worries about the impact on the U.S. auto industry as Canada makes deals with China while Trump is posting criticism on social media.
“I said Donald Trump was going to get elected in 2016 because he did understand that the American autoworker had seen their job shift overseas with NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement),” she said. “They were competing with workers in Mexico that were being paid far less, with different environmental standards and occupational safety standards.”
Renegotiating what became the trade deal known as USMCA helped workers, but Dingell is concerned about the uncertainty ahead for the automotive industry. “I’m worried about USMCA and Canada this time. I think Canada is wondering what a good trading partner we are.”
She said what rarely makes headlines when President Trump “threatens all these border issues” is that “our hospitals would close in Detroit if nurses weren’t able to come across the bridge and staff them every day. We’re just complicating everything with somebody that has been a good neighbor.”
Native Americans flag border crackdown
In addition to seeking answers to questions related DNA protocol and details related to Larson’s experience, Dingell said she also hopes to get clarity on policy related to Native Americans at the Canadian border.
Local Indigenous leaders across the St. Clair River issued travel alerts on their Facebook pages in late January and included an emergency number for the Canadian consulate.
The Walpole Island First Nation Council advised its members to be cautious following recent immigration enforcement actions, including the detention of Indigenous individuals.”
The Aamjiwnaang Band Council (formerly known as the Chippewas of Sarnia First Nation) said, "Due to the ongoing actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the detention of First Nations people, Aamjiwnaang Chief and Council are urging members to take extra precautions when travelling to the United States of America. Members are advised to ensure they have proper, up-to-date identification and to carry any additional documentation that demonstrates citizenship or legal status at all times. Where possible, members are also encouraged to obtain a Canadian passport. Since time immemorial, our people have crossed the river into what is now called the United States of America.”
With Dingell on the case, Larson said he remains optimistic for himself and others.
“I have deep concerns but I hope to get back to the old days of close and deep friendship with our neighbors to the south,” he said. “Mine is not the only story. Many Canadians are scared.”
More:
Canadian retiree required to give DNA at Blue Water Bridge
Frustrated deputy mayor in Canada explains $4.5B tourism hit to U.S.
‘You can’t keep disrespecting us,” says deputy mayor in Canada
Canadian sailors redesign race courses to avoid U.S. waters (again)
Canadian boycott hits county Trump won
What I discovered at the Canadian Embassy
City Manager: ‘Sorry we suck. Please shop American.’
I’m honored to be part of The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative — which offers a fresh mix of political analysis, features and news from a Heartland perspective.
Phoebe, I have forwarded both posts to my brother, Professor Emeritus of Political Science
Hunter College, and The Graduate Center, CUNY.
He has shared them with his current and former colleagues across the country.
Great scoop Phoebe!