Homeland Security accepts fake ID (feel safe yet?).

[im10ashus]

From Hussein Saddique
CNN

Monday, June 12, 2006; Posted: 9:40 p.m. EDT (01:40 GMT)

(CNN) -- A man using a fake identification card was able to enter the Homeland Security Department headquarters in Washington, he said, even though the United States government considers the type of Mexican-issued card he used invalid.

Retired New York City policeman Bruce DeCell, who had arranged to meet with DHS officials last week to lobby for document security, told CNN he purposely used a forged version of identification that Mexican consulates in the United States issue to their nationals living here illegally.

Undocumented Mexicans can use the cards at banks and other institutions that accept them. The cards are not valid for entry into federal government buildings.

DeCell is a board member of a group called "9/11 Families for a Secure America," which he formed with others after losing his son-in-law in the 2001 terrorist attacks.

cont'd...

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/06/12/dhs.fakeid/index.html

[Freedom_Aflaim]

1. How does an ID provide security?

Theres a federal court building that I need enter occasionally and they always check that I have ID.

I just find it strange. My name is not checked against any list, my photo against any roster of photo. There are not age limits to get in, and my name is not recorded at entry.

They just check to see that I have identification. I havent figured out how having an ID in your pocket is a safe guard against you doing anything that would threaten security.

I suppose if the building blows up, they can shift through the wallets to make indentification easier.

[im10ashus]

2. I work by Ground Zero and have to have my card with me to enter.

But if this were the HSD Headquarters, I would hope they would scrutinize a little more closely.

[Freedom_Aflaim]

5. Well thats a bit different

ID that associates you to the building for certain access.

Im talking about federal buildings that just require that you HAVE ID. A drivers license is all that you need.

[MadHound]

3. And what is even more ridiculous

Is how insanely easy for the ordinary person to get a fake ID. In certain states all one has to do is filch a piece of insurance company letterhead, write to the state pretending to be a rep of that insurance company asking for a death certificate to fill out a claim. Many states will send you both the death and birth certificate, throw away the death certificate and voila, you have a perfectly good birth certificate with which to get other forms of genuine ID.

In an ironic twist, here in Missouri they're making people show their birth certificates in order to get a new driver's license. Having my birth certificate buried, I went down to get a new copy of my birth certificate, and what did they ask for in order to verify my ID? Yeah, that's right, my driver's license:eyes:

[im10ashus]

4. "here in Missouri they're making people show their birth certificates..."

Shouldn't always have been the policy. Hell, when I lost my wallet this year after moving from Chicago to NYC, in order to get a new ID I had to provide my birth certificate, SS card, a utility bill, a W-2, a credit or debit card and a paycheck stub. They weren't messing.