Letters to the Editor

‘5,000 Forged IDs Seized’I was very happy to see coverage of forged IDs in The New York Sun. As Los Angeles City Attorney, I feel it’s critical the public be made aware of how easily criminals can secure the means to conceal their true identity [“5,000 Forged IDs Seized in Sweep,” Daniela Gerson, Page 1, December 8, 2005].Here in Los Angeles, widely considered to be the epicenter of the fraudulent document trade, my office and others in law enforcement are engaged in an on-going effort to shut down what are known as Mica Mills (Mica is Spanish slang for laminated ID cards).These Mica Mills are manufacturing centers for the production and distribution of a disturbing variety of fraudulent documents from all 50 states and numerous foreign countries.Beyond the criminal act of manufacturing the false government documents, Mica Mills facilitate two other grave threats: Identity theft and terrorism.Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the nation, affecting nearly 10 million Americans last year. Because Mica Mills produce an alarming range of seemingly authentic official documents, including U.S. passports, birth certificates, and fraudulent identifications from foreign governments, they are an identity thief’s best friend.The forgeries are of such high quality they can be used to secure legitimate government documents, including Social Security cards, opening the door to illegally obtaining benefits intended for legitimate cardholders.There is global demand for fraudulent documents, impacting not only our economy but also bringing new threats into our homes from criminals in other countries. As a result, law enforcement officials are compelled to change how we monitor and respond to crime in a global world.Criminals from around the world have used materials from Mica Mills to secure credit cards, loans, and other services in the names of unsuspecting victims, increasing the need for awareness among citizens, police and prosecutors.The situation is nearly intractable – the mills are highly mobile and the documents they create are nearly impossible to detect as fakes without a highly trained eye.They provide terrorists with two dangerous tools: An alias to conceal their true identity and the time to compete their task before they’re detected.Masked by the identity created with false documents, terrorists and other criminals make it even more difficult for law enforcement to effectively track and stop them before they strike.The proliferation of fraudulent government documents is a national concern. The only solution is to be relentless and innovative. We must become smarter and faster in our efforts to cut off the supply of false documents to terrorists and criminals.As Los Angeles City Attorney, I’m dedicated to pursuing any and all means to make my city, state and country safer for its citizens.ROCKARD J. DELGADILLOCity AttorneyLos Angeles, Calif.

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

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