Fake documents swamp Houston

Houston Chronicle ^ | May 6, 2008 | JAMES PINKERTON

[SwinneySwitch]

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

Rise in demand is putting pressure on authorities

Illegal immigrants fearful of being caught in stepped-up workplace raids are fueling a growing market in Houston for phony immigration and work documents.

The result, experts say, is a glut of false, altered and counterfeit documents that are easily obtained at Houston-area flea markets, businesses and clandestine printing shops set up in homes and apartments. The bogus documents include counterfeit Texas driver's licenses, fake Social Security and "green cards," and even worthless international driver's licenses sold here and in other states.

"You could put all of HPD full time on this thing, and I don't think we could put a dent in it," said Lt. Robert Sells, with the Texas Department of Public Safety's driver's license fraud unit.

The demand has been so strong that law enforcement officers in Texas have been bribed in recent years to sell the valuable documents, and several dozen have been caught.

An ex-federal prosecutor said heightened enforcement has not only boosted demand for counterfeit documents, but increased the price and quality of the fakes.

"You're seeing stepped-up law enforcement of the worksite, and that leads to more identity theft and false document prosecution," said Kevin Lachus, a former Immigration and Customs Enforcement attorney now with the Tindall & Foster immigration firm in Houston. "That results in more training for human resource officials, which makes them more expert in spotting documents, and results in even more sophisticated counterfeit identity documents."

On Houston streets, a top-quality counterfeit green card proving legal residency commands $500, federal agents say. Even shabby green cards bring $15 to $100 while a good-quality package — a driver's license, green card and Social Security card — can cost $350.

Immigrants sometimes resort to buying real documents from corrupt officials at steep prices.

[SwinneySwitch]

"We do seem to have a lot of internal crime in Houston. I don't know what the deal is. Maybe it's because it's such a big city."

Sanctuary city comes to mind.

[dfwgator]

The “K-word” also comes to mind.

[skeeter]

Welcome to the third world.

What did you expect, America?

[A_Former_Democrat]

This is what happens when the voters and politicians look the other way. The problem eventually festers and becomes overwhelming.

Buckle up, my friends.

[SwinneySwitch]

Pinkerton ping!

If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.

[Clemenza]

Between the illegals and the Katrinamals, Houston is F-—ed.

[elfman2]

“You could put all of HPD full time on this thing, and I don’t think we could put a dent in it,”

Give anyone found with one 2 years in prison and anyone trafficking in one 5 years in prison, and the operation would 99% dry up in 6 months.

[FewsOrange]

Give any employer accepting one 2 years in prison and any employer accepting more than one 5 years in prison, and the operation would 99% dry up in 6 months.

[TexasGunLover]

Give any employer accepting one 2 years in prison and any employer accepting more than one 5 years in prison, and the operation would 99% dry up in 6 months.

So long as there is a way for the employer to prove authenticity. As it stands today, even the most expensive verification methods fail a great deal of the time.

I've had reputable services say the ID's were authentic only to later have the employee admit they were fake (thus not getting the job).

[Oldexpat]

The Rats love it. More teachers, police, social workers, prison guards needed..more tax money to manage and disburse.
We need to vote and vote with our feet. Leave these areas and don’t continue supporting them with your tax dollars.

[Praxeologue]

Dem voting fraud can live off this fake ID tidal wave. The constitutionality of requiring govt issued photo ID has little value. I’m for retinal scans.

[Diogenesis]

[CDHart]

We left Houston in 1984 - even then you could get fake IDs at the flea markets.

Carolyn

[CDHart]

The prisons are already full -

Carolyn

[VeniVidiVici]

Give anyone found with one 2 years in prison and anyone trafficking in one 5 years in prison, and the operation would 99% dry up in 6 months.

Never happen. La Raza and the Democrat Party would scream how racist such an act would be as obviously it was meant to target Hispanics.

[dennisw]

dittos.. it’s a lousy sanctuary city

[VOA]

Give any employer accepting one 2 years in prison and any employer
accepting more than one 5 years in prison, and the operation would
99% dry up in 6 months.

That seems to be the strategy in the U.K.
Last night I saw a report on BBC World News (carried by PBS station)
in which the U.K. police were raiding a food-processing plant.

Something like half of the 50-odd workers were in the UK illegally,
two were immediately deported...but the real focus of the raid
was to document the problem and SPANK the employer with heavy fines.

The only problem I see is that fines just are viewed as "the cost
of doing business".
SEIZURE and liquidation of the assets of the employer of illegals
might be "the nuclear option" needed to really send a message.

[AuntB]

” The bogus documents include counterfeit Texas driver’s licenses, fake Social Security and “green cards,” and even worthless international driver’s licenses sold here and in other states.”

Fake ID’s....more from the ‘family’ values types who would NEVER break our laws!
Well, if we’d just do what McCain wants and make them ALL legal, we wouldn’t have this problem.

[gubamyster]

ping

[ArrogantBustard]

The True Face of the Democrat Party