The administration of President Joe Biden has canceled the collection of personally identifiable data, such as DNA and facial scans, from immigrants applying to enter the country, which the Trump administration initially planned.

In September 2020, the Trump administration proposed the expansion of the collections of eye scans, voice data, and facial scans of individuals who seek to enter the U.S. 

According to them, the biometric information would be used for verification purposes. It would also allow the U.S. government to collect young children's personal information, including DNA and facial scans, which was not permitted.

According to Washington Examiner, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Friday said that the department had withdrawn a proposed rule that would have expanded its authorities and requirements for collecting biometrics by removing the age limit.

The proposed rule would have also required the submission of biometrics for each applicant, sponsor, petitioner, beneficiary, or other individual filing for or associated with any immigration or naturalization benefit or request unless the DHS waives or exempts the biometric requirement.

Congress has mandated the DHS to develop a strategy in tracking visa recipients and other applicants, who make up the largest number of new latest immigrants every year as a result of failing to depart the country on time, The Epoch Times reported.

The U.S. government currently takes a photograph, fingerprints, and a signature from those individuals who seek admission. The collected information is used in verifying the identity of individuals once they arrive in the U.S.

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Biden Admin Holds 25,000 Parentless Migrant Children

Away from their families, close to an estimated 25,000 migrant children are now in the custody of the U.S. government. The number of unaccompanied migrant children under the federal government's care is already at an all-time high. 

It quickly eclipsed the corresponding total number in 2018 when the Trump administration pursued a policy that led to the intentional separation of children from their families.

The situation emphasizes the severity of the crisis faced by the Biden administration early in his presidency and the moral quandary he faces. 

Officials under the Biden administration maintained that they are resolving a problem created by the previous administration and claimed that they are giving out better conditions for the kids in their care.

Republicans have argued that the permissive stance of Biden on illegal immigration, particularly his decision not to turn away children, is the reason why many have made the dangerous travel to cross the southern border and ended up separated from their parents. 

For Biden's critics, the president's move indirectly caused the family separations for which he denounced former president Donald Trump.

On May 4, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement reported that around 22,195 children were already in the department's custody.

Reports said it was more than any other time in American history, including when the Trump administration separated families in 2018 and during the 2019 and 2014 surges of migrant children to the border.

Reports further noted that an additional 2,000 children were also currently in the custody of other federal agencies.

READ MORE: Biden Admin to Reunite Whole Families Not Just Parents With Border Kids

 WATCH: President Joe Biden on Immigration and Border Security - CNBC Television