I have a hard time believing this. Back in the 1990s I was a Border Patrol Agent working in Fresno, CA. I arrested thousands of illegal aliens and virtually every one had a counterfeit SS card and fake immigration card. They were being sold at the swap meet for $15 bucks.
Prosecution for document fraud? Are you kidding me. The US Attorney would have laughed in my face if I presented such a case.
Once I arrested a group of 5 illegals working the fields. They all had counterfeit SS and immigration cards. So I took them to the labor contractors office to make sure they got paid and I asked to see the Form I-9 for each of them. Sure enough each had used their fake docks to fill out the I-9 and under penalty of perjury signed the form.
So I had them on about 5 felonies each. I talked to the US Attorney and he agreed to present the case.
At the initial appearance the US Magistrate listened to our presentation and got a funny look on his face and said:
"I guess it must be a slow day at the US attorneys office". <>The case was dropped and I got the message to never present another one like that.
Sorry for the rant but the fed gov has never taken doc fraud seriously when it comes to immigration.
FWIW I’m of the opinion that identity theft should be a capital crime. Hang a few of them and the rest will notice.