Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents recently arrested Julio Leija-Sanchez, the head of a large forgery operation creating counterfeit documents for illegal immigrants specifically focused on the expectation that the United States Senate would pass what he called “amnesty.” While many members of Congress and the President insist the current proposal isn’t amnesty, those that would seek to take advantage of the legislation sure do, and are ramping up criminal activity to take advantage of it.
“It’s clear that the most capable fraud document cartel in Mexico has been gearing up for comprehensive immigration reform at the same time we have been here on Capitol Hill  only they’re ahead of the game. They’re already making money and will continue to do so if this bill passes.”
Michael Maxwell, senior policy analyst for homeland security for Rep. John Culberson, Texas Republican.
According to the affidavit filed by ICE, they utilized wire taps to listened in as Leija-Sanchez claimed he could “fix” documents. According to ICE, “he was referring to the fact that the organization could fraudulently create or alter documents to falsely prove the requisite residency period.”
The Washington Times reports that the affidavit further explains Leija-Sanchez also used his forgery ring to help smuggle illegal aliens into the country on the understanding they would work for his criminal enterprise. He was arrested on charges of forgery and conspiracy to commit murder. Although the phony document network was mostly Mexican, according to ICE the cartel never refused to sell documents to anyone - its customers were “American, Polish, Indian, Algerian, Arab, Mexican, Nigerian, Canadian, Haitian, Pakistani and Asian.”
We’re pleased that ICE nailed Leija-Sanchez and busted this criminal ring, but we wonder how many others exist and how many are being created by the incentive of the Senate’s misguided legislation? If this doesn’t underscore why it is necessary to secure the borders first, we don’t know what will. To create yet another magnet to attract illegals - some with very serious criminal intent - is worse that misguided. And, to pretend that there will not be dreadful repercussions to granting automatic legal status to the millions who claim they were here “just in time” in pure head-in-the-sand folly.