Charlotte, N.C. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport continue to intercept passengers attempting to enter the U.S. using fraudulent documents. During the month of October officers encountered two passengers with back-dated entrance stamps, another with fraudulent resident documentation and an outbound passenger posing as another person.
In the first week of October CBP officers encountered a Nigerian female as a person of interest for contraband. During her interview the enforcement officer noticed several anomalies in her passport and visa. She was identified as an impostor and the documents in her possession were found to be fraudulent. The following week a Costa Rican female attempted to hide her overstay by purchasing a fraudulent Costa Rican entrance stamp. Three days later a French male presented a fraudulent I-551 permanent resident card and social security card; he used the documents to obtain a firearms permit and was employed as a security guard. Later in the month another female from Costa Rica presented a valid Costa Rican passport with a fraudulent Costa Rican entrance stamp purchased to conceal her overstay.
“Charlotte CBP officers are highly trained in the detection of fraudulent documents. Our officers are vigilant and strive daily to keep our nation safe and secure from those trying to enter the U.S. without authorization,” stated Area Port Director Patricia Fitzpatrick.
Three of the passengers were removed from the U.S., administratively, the fourth was also carrying contraband and will remain in the U.S. awaiting her trial.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
