Washington (CNN) The Trump administration will begin collecting DNA samples from some migrants in US Customs and Border Protection custody as part of a pilot program, something it says will allow the agency to be in compliance with an upcoming regulation change.

In October, the Department of Justice proposed eliminating the ability of Homeland Security to limit its DNA collections, prompting the pilot program. It's the latest attempt by the Department of Homeland Security to expand DNA collection.

Last year, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, another agency within DHS, deployed DNA testing at locations along the US-Mexico border to determine familial relationships amid concerns that some individuals were posing as families to eventually be released into the US.

The proposed rule, which is expected to be finalized soon, would also require that DNA samples be submitted to the FBI's Combined DNA Index System, also known as CODIS.

The DNA database allows federal, state and local forensic laboratories to exchange and compare DNA profiles electronically in an attempt to link crimes to known offenders.

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