The headline of this article is surreally obvious: "Sellers of fake immigration documents dismiss call for new IDs". Really? Why?! Well, apparently the forgers think that it will be impossible for the government to devise documentation that is significantly more difficult to fabricate.
(06-02) 10:03 PDT Los Angeles (AP) -- Luis Hernandez is laughing as he sells fake drivers licenses and Social Security cards to illegal immigrants near a park known for shady deals.The joke, to him, is the government's promise to put people like him out of business with a tamperproof ID card.
"One way or another, we'll always find a way," said Hernandez, 35, a sidewalk pitchman who is part of a complex counterfeiting network operating around MacArthur Park, a teeming area near downtown.
No matter what the federal government does, sellers vow to keep providing authentic-looking IDs for as little as $150, to anyone who wants them.
Mr. Hernandez is being naive... after all, there's a reason these criminals aren't simply counterfeiting American currency, right? It's not hard to design currency that is difficult to duplicate cheaply and easily, and it wouldn't be hard to create Social Security cards, drivers' licenses, and green cards with similar properties -- if our state and federal governments could muster the political will to do so.
This is the reason why we need a new Sheriff for Los Angeles County. Baca cut his forgery/fraud unit down, forcing cases like this to be handled by station detectives (who are already overworked and under staffed) instead of a specialized unit-the cases do not get worked! The only way we are going to get a handle on this illegal immigration problem is to insure we elect leaders who will take up the fight against illegal immigration, regardless of the political climate. I am one of those leaders and will fight illegal immigration if elected Sheriff of Los Angeles County on June 6, 2006.
Vote Paul Jernigan for Los Angeles Sheriff
see more about my platform at
www.jerniganforsheriff.com