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Jul 20, 2006 9:49 pm US/Mountain

CBS4 Examines The Purchase Of Work Documents
Tough Question: How hard is it to buy a green card?
By CBS4 Reporter Alan Gionet

Alan Gionet
Reporting

(CBS4) DENVER As the immigration debate fires on, undocumented laborers and those who employ them have found themselves at the brunt of the controversy.

One way employers can verify a potential hire's legal status is ask to see a permanent resident card and social security card. CBS4 found out how difficult it is to purchase a phony green card.

It was a Monday evening when a man working for CBS4 walked up to the Flea Market on 8th Ave. and Federal Blvd. to see if he could purchase fake documents, equipped with a hidden camera and microphone.

He called himself Mario Torres.

"I'm looking for information on some documents to get a job," Torres said in fluent Spanish.

Minutes later, Torres found a man who said he knew someone who can accommodate such a request and made the call.

"I am here on 8th Avenue, and this dude wants a green card," he said. "Social security card too."

The middleman told the maker of the counterfeit documents that Torres was looking for work papers before handing the phone over to him.

"I was talking with your buddy, and I was telling him that I am looking for some papers, so I can get a better job," Torres said. "My buddies told me to come here. A green card is what I need."

Torres told the man he brought pictures and needed to get the card as soon as possible. The seller, who calls himself Tony, told him to look for a green Ford Expedition where the deal would be made.

Fifteen minutes later, Tony showed up to get Torres' picture and other personal information needed to make the card such as a birthdate and address.

The following conversation transpired:

Torres: "(My name is) Mario Torres."

Seller: "(What is) your Birthday?"

Torres: "(It is) 10/17/72."

Seller: "Okay. Any social security number is fine."

Torres: "So, how much for the green card?"

Seller: "$80"

Torres: "$80 for the green card and $90 with the social security? I can wait here if it's an hour."

The transaction took only 45 minutes to complete. Tony delivered, as promised, a phony permanent resident card and social security card.

Torres: "Wow. It looks really good. I just have to sign it?"

Seller: "Yes, but in your home ... easy. Give me a call if you need anything else."

So how hard is it to buy a green card? On that particular night, it took CBS 4 a little longer than an hour to buy phony work documents.

Last week, Colorado lawmakers met for a special session to discuss a reform package that leaders are calling the toughest in the nation. At the session, a bill was passed that requires employers to verify the legal status of their workers.