http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=5007160&nav=2CSf
Jackson 06/08/06
Three On Your Side Investigates

By: Marsha Thompson
marsha@wlbt.net

President Bush said Thursday deporting illegal immigrants "ain't gonna work." The President is pushing a guest worker proposal. Critics of his plan say the first step is keeping out undocumented foreigners. But a federal sting in Forest, Mississippi shows how easy it is for some to secure counterfeit documents.

It's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants are living in the U.S. Thousands right here in Mississippi. Working in construction, at chicken processing plants and in other jobs. The Sheriff of Scott County says his area is home to a large Hispanic population. "They just want to better themselves and make a living for their families," according to Sheriff William Richardson. But the Sheriff concedes many are here illegally. Nine illegal immigrants living in Forest, Mississippi were busted by ICE agents in May . The largest group arrested in an on-going battle, said officials with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Jackson.

" this was an undercover operation..ice," said Dunn Lampton. It started with a tip that some in this small town were mass producing and selling fake documents. An illegal means of blending into society. Prosecutors say this is a growing problem. Lampton said, "It is a growing problem. Illegal aliens cannot function without the documents."

Federal Court documents outline how the ICE-led investigation went down. " Documents show the ICE sting started in this Forest parking lot. Then led to a trailer home where the federal source had a photo taken. Then the person was escorted back to the parking lot. According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Lacy, Jr. "It's a cottage industry and it's easy, that's why it's so cheap." 15 minutes later the illegal immigrants returned. In hand fake social security and green cards. Their asking price 60 dollars. "Marsha what amazed me when I look at this case is the charge for these documents is 60 dollars, that's not a lot of money," commented Lampton.

We asked about the quality of the bogus documentation? His reply,"pretty darned good." ICE agents raided two Forest residences, confiscating 75 counterfeit resident alien and social security cards and hauled away a load of equipment used to make them. "I think these were used for strickly illegal aliens that want to work but the possibility exists that they could be used for terrorists," said the U.S. Attorney.

While many are calling for a tightening of our borders, they maintain most known Al Qaeda agents have flown to the U.S. or crossed from Canada, not across the barren border with Mexico. But it's that southern frontier that remains the focus of the debate over how to end easy entrance and access to America.