Authorities see rise in fake passports on border

Authorities see rise in fake passports on border

The Associated Press 12:01 p.m. December 16, 2008

SAN DIEGO — Federal officials say there has been an increase in the number of arrests of people trying to use fake passports and visas as they cross the U.S.-Mexico border in California.

State Department and border officials said Tuesday that 160 people had been arrested in the past year – from November 2007 to November 2008 – and are being prosecuted on charges alleging the use of false documents.

Officials say fewer than 20 such arrests were made over the previous one-year period.

The increase has come since the start of a requirement that travelers carry passports, birth certificates or other documents to prove citizenship at border crossings.

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