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U.S. Border Agents Fail to Detect Fake IDs
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ShareAugust 04, 2006 2:47 PM
A second report in two weeks gives failing grades to inspections at U.S. land border crossings, increasing fears that terrorists can still enter the United States undetected five years after 9/11.
This week the Government Accountability Office released the findings of its investigation of the security at U.S. land ports of entry. From Feburary through June, GAO agents attempted to cross into the U.S. at nine checkpoints along the northern and southern borders. The agents carried only counterfeit driver's licenses and other bogus documents.
At all nine crossings, the agents were allowed to pass U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. And at two of those ports of entry, they were not asked to provide any form of identification.
The report concluded that in the event border inspectors request identification, they "are unable to effectively identify counterfeit driver's licenses, birth certificates, and other documents." Furthermore, the report found, "This vulnerability potentially allows terrorists or others involved in criminal activity to pass freely into the United States from Canada or Mexico with little or no chance of detection."
Before releasing their report, the GAO briefed customs officials on their findings at which time, "The CBP agreed its officers are not able to identify all forms of counterfeit identification presented at land border crossings." The officials also expressed their support for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which by 2008 would "require all travelers, including U.S. citizens, within the Western Hemisphere to have a passport or other secure identification deemed sufficient ... to enter or reenter the United States."
But Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, says that is not enough. He says the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency needs to update their document verification equipment before 2008. "If document verification technology works for the private sector, state governments, and foreign countries, there's no excuse for not using it to protect America's borders as well."
The GAO reports comes one week after an internal audit by the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General's Office. That report found that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency lacks the resources to fulfill their traditional law enforcement repsonsibilities along with their increased efforts to intercept potential terrorists at airports and other ports of entry.
August 4, 2006 in Homeland Security | Permalink | User Comments (6)
This report just *can't* be right, can it?
After, doesn't George keep telling us that he is keeping us "safe"?
Posted by: Alex | Aug 5, 2006 5:03:31 AM
Of course, we hear about the nine crossings that weren't detected, but not about the other crossings that were detected and people told to turn away. I'm sure the fake ID's the agents have are almost identical to the real thing.
I wonder who the liberals are going to blame for things when they get back in the white house and control congress, they certainly won't be able to blame the GOP anymore
Posted by: Grant Thompson | Aug 7, 2006 4:30:41 PM
Grant - Did you actually READ the article? It wasn't nine crossings ... it was crossings at nine checkpoints. This doesn't concern you? Regardless whether you feel we're at risk of terrorists entering the country ... it's a waste of time and money, and a collossal lie, if these efforts fail and are allowed to continue.
Posted by: Mark | Aug 8, 2006 12:19:04 PM
Do you really believe that there is a fool-proof way to detect fake id's? I am alarmed at the two checkpoints where CBP officers didn't bother to ask for identification.
Posted by: Deborah | Aug 10, 2006 12:53:54 PM
Times of peace have changed everyone. We need fingerprint and retnal scans and yearly pictures taken, background checks and other necessary information on ALL American citizens. ALL information would be put in a goverment database. Hand held scanners would be provided for border patrols, local and state police and other government agencies could access it when necessary. Employers can verify that they are hiring legal workers by using the governments' database for verification. Any workplace hiring illegal aliens would be fined and owners imprison 5 years for each illegal found and business license taken away. Those who are here on visas or work permits would have backgrounds checked and photo and retnal scans taken to be put in US government databanks and have to wear non removeable devises to show their constant whereabouts for the duration of their stay. Passports would have the same requirements from every country before entering the United States. Local and state police officers would work as border patrol agents when people are found not to be in the US database and have these illegals removed from our country ASAP. Positive ID and secure borders are necessary to have security in our great land. That's why I am doing my part as a Minuteman Civil Defense Corps member. What about you?
Posted by: Evy MCDC | Aug 10, 2006 6:41:09 PM
Evy, People in the USA on work permits/visas are already in the database with their entire backgrounds checked by the State Department even before they get a VIsa to enter. I would suggest that the government build connectivity between these databases and local authorities so that you can identify each person when they come accross local law enforcement. For example the IRS has claimed that they could not match the SSN with the person as filed by an employer? Why can't they inform ICE( Immigration and Customs Enforcement ) about this they exactly know where the business is located and fine him/her heavily that they would set an example for others in the same kind of business not to practice it. There is no political will to enforce these measures and if you do the ACLU will jump on you and make sure that your life is miserable.
Posted by: Murali | Aug 11, 2006 8:05:42 AM
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