Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

THE US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced that it has trained more than 15,000 airline personnel in identifying counterfeit/fraudulent documents, imposter recognition, and travel document verification. (In other words, to spot fake/fraudulent visas). The purpose of this training is to reduce the numbers of improperly documented individuals who are boarding aircraft destined for the US.

In the past, people have tried a wide variety of tricks and schemes to enter the US without proper travel documentation. This would include photo-substituted passports, (containing legitimate visas, in someone else’s name, but containing the photo of the person using the passport), fake green cards, fake ADIT (temporary) stamp in the passport, and the like. Under this program, airline employees would already be able to spot or identify such fraudulent travel documents or improper visas or green cards, such that the person would not even be allowed to board the plane to the US. Even if a person was "lucky enough" to fool the airline employees, he would still be inspected at the port of entry (airport) by CBP officers. The new program is an additional measure to stop passengers with fraudulent documentation from even getting on board the plane, thus avoiding "an airport to airport" expedited removal at the US airport.

If you are planning to go to the US, I would suggest you seek the advice of a reputable attorney, who can advise you on lawful and legitimate ways to enter the US. Under no circumstance should you use fraudulent or questionable documentation, not only because it is wrong, but is likely that you would be caught either at your departure airport or at the port of entry in the U.S. and face a possible lifetime ban from ever coming to the US.

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Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein (including testimonials, "Success Stories", endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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( Published on April 23, 2009 in Asian Journal Northern California p. B3 )