March 5, 2008

ICE Goes After Fraudulent Documents Operation

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced last Tuesday the arrest of a Mexican national on federal charges that he was producing and misusing immigration documents. Pedro Altatenco-Luna has been charged by the United States Attorney for the District of Delaware with violations of Title 18 USC 1028, Producing Identification Documents and Title 18 USC 1546, Fraud and Misuse of Immigration Documents and held in custody.

According to the ICE press release the investigation was was initiated by the Delaware State Police (DSP). When looking into a suspicious package, the DSP found  approximately 200 suspected fraudulent I-551 resident alien cards (green cards). Also included in the package were homeland security document laminates with official seals and similar laminates for Mexican drivers licenses.

"The state police contacted ICE investigators from the Wilmington, Del., Office of Investigations and last Friday both agencies conducted a consent search at a location in New Castle. During the search agents uncovered equipment used to produce fraudulent identification documents, 1,000 document laminates and various resident alien cards, Social Security cards and Mexican, Ohio and Pennsylvania driver's licenses in various stages of production.....Altatenco-Luna faces a maximum of ten years in federal prison on the two charges" stated the ICE press release.