Speech #920153494

Mr. Speaker. the millions of illegal aliens crowding our cities and taking jobs that belong to American citizens would have a far more difficult time breaking the law if they were not heavily armed with forged and counterfeit documents. Immigration officials investigating the influx of illegal aliens have found counterfeiting rings operating in this country as well as in Mexico. Puerto Rico. and other places. The illegal allen must have some identification allowing him to enter the United States "legally." He must also have what is known as a green card. which permits him to work here. Green cards are issued only to aliens admitted for permanent residence or to commuters. such as Mexicans. who return home at night. During fiscal year 1971. more than 9.000 illegal aliens were apprehended with false documents. More than 8.000 had false U.S. birth certificates. Counterfeiting rings will provide anything from a forged green card to birth and baptismal certificates. In Puerto Rico. for example. five rings are reported actively engaged in helping aliens from nearby islands and Caribbean countries enter the United States by providing certificates indicating Puerto Rican birth. The rings .also send couriers into the Dominican Republic and other countries where they provide forged Puerto Rican birth certificates. permitting the individual to fly to Puerto Rico and from there he is able to get a plane to the United States. It is believed that about 90 percent of these Illegal aliens go to New York. The Puerto Rican rings are very thorough. They even give their clients crash information courses on the Puerto Rican town that is supposed to be their birthplace or residence. Once here. the illegal alien who carries a forged green card can work wherever he chooses. and thus deprive an American of employment. Once here. the ilegal alien bearing .a false birth certificate acquires all the