WASHINGTON, D.C. (Texas Insider Report) — According to Ballotpedia, 34 states across America will require some sort of official ID to vote in November's Presidential Election, with 18 requiring a Photo ID. Yet fears of voter fraud continue to resound across mainstream media, and on Twitter as well.
One of the reasons for those concerns has to do with the fact that fake IDs are pouring into America this year, according to U.S. Customs & Border Protection.In fact, through the end of June 2020 Federal Customs Officers have seized 1,513 shipments from overseas containing fraudulent documents – including 19,888 counterfeit U.S. Driver's Licenses – just at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
And in April, U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) issued a release outlining an uptick in fake IDs at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
At that time, officials said they had confiscated approximately 2,000 fake licenses in the past 18 months.
“These fraudulent identity documents can lead to identity theft, worksite enforcement, critical infrastructure protection, fraud linked to immigration-related crimes such as human smuggling, and human trafficking,” the release read.
CBP outlined the consequences of fake licenses.
“Some may think fake IDs are mostly associated with underaged drinking, but it’s much more than that,” said Michael Neipert, CBP Area Port of Memphis Director, which oversees an area of operation that includes ports in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Alabama.
“Fraudulent IDs can also be associated with identity theft, and terrorist activity. With all the uncertainty currently facing our nation, it is inherent that CBP Memphis Officers remain steadfast in securing the nation’s borders.”
CBP Officials say the major sources of the fake IDs were China and Hong Kong. Most of the fake IDs were copied from college-age students, and many had a common photo – but with different names.
“These counterfeit driver’s licenses can lead to disastrous consequences,” said Ralph Piccirilli, the Acting Port Director in Chicago. “Criminal organizations use counterfeit IDs to avoid attracting attention to their illegal activities.”
With all of the counterfeit driver’s licenses seized, depending on the circumstances surrounding the seizure, efforts were made to contact the resident whose name was used on the fake ID's in an effort to make them aware of the inherent dangers involved in counterfeiting.
Fake IDs are often sold on the black market for between $250 to $500, often going to high school and college students.
But, says CBP, they are also used by illegal aliens looking to gain entry into the United States.
