Key moments
In a troubling incident at the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia, Ontario, a 68-year-old Canadian man named Kevin Larson was held for three hours by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and forced to provide a DNA sample. This event occurred on October 18, 2025, as Larson attempted to enter the United States to attend a rally in Port Huron, Michigan.
Larson, a retired nuclear power plant employee, was informed that he could face charges if he refused to comply with the DNA request. He had presented a valid Canadian passport but was denied entry due to what officials described as “insufficient evidence” for his intended purpose of travel. Larson disputes this reasoning, stating he had every right to cross the border.
The directive under which CBP operates allows for the collection of DNA samples from individuals arrested on federal charges, but Larson was not arrested. This raises significant questions about the legality and ethics of the DNA collection process in this context. Larson expressed his discomfort, stating, “I said, ‘No, I consider that a privacy thing. I’m not going to do it.'” Ultimately, he complied to avoid a longer-term ban from entering the U.S.
U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell has publicly condemned the incident, expressing outrage over the treatment Larson received. She stated, “This kind of hostile and arbitrary treatment at the border could further damage one of our most important bilateral relationships.” Dingell, along with fellow Representative Jamie Raskin, has sent a letter seeking clarification on the legal justification for taking Larson’s DNA.
In their letter, Dingell and Raskin highlighted that there was no evidence of any pending warrants or criminal history against Larson, emphasizing the arbitrary nature of the DNA collection. “There was nothing,” Dingell noted, underscoring the lack of justification for the actions taken by CBP. The representatives have yet to receive a response regarding their inquiries.
Larson, feeling rattled by the experience, has indicated he will avoid future trips to the U.S. until there is a change in administration. His case has sparked broader discussions about privacy rights and the treatment of individuals at the border, especially in light of the strained U.S.-Canada relations that have been exacerbated by previous administrations’ policies.
As the situation unfolds, the implications of this incident may resonate beyond Larson’s personal experience, potentially influencing future border policies and the treatment of travelers. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the broader impact of this incident on U.S.-Canada relations and the legal frameworks governing border security.