C.B.P. News Release

Fugitive Captured at Border with Counterfeit Document

(Wednesday, July 07, 2010)

Blaine, Wash. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers apprehended a Salvadoran man who was wanted in Dallas, Texas, for alleged assault causing bodily injury to a family member on July 3 as he attempted to enter the U.S. at the Pacific Highway port of entry.

CBP officers immediately became suspicious of Francisco Oswald Gallardo, 45, when he presented a counterfeit permanent resident card for identification. Often referred to as a green card, a permanent resident card represents a legal residency in the U.S. but does not convey citizenship.

Gallardo claimed to have been visiting his sister in British Columbia and was returning to his residence in Irving, Texas. Although the permanent resident card was a counterfeit, it did bear Gallardo’s true identity, which, when checked, revealed that he was the subject of a National Criminal Information Center warrant by the Dallas County sheriff’s office.

“Protecting communities throughout the United States is a critical element of our border security efforts.â€