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Six years ago, Puerto Rico passed a law that invalidated all existing birth certificates and required people born on the island to obtain a new “security-enhanced” certificate.
U.S. officials said the new birth certificates would thwart the illicit sale or theft of old certificates so undocumented foreign nationals could no longer use them to obtain U.S. passports or driver licenses. Undocumented immigrants with Puerto Rican birth certificates could then pose as U.S. citizens since Puerto Ricans are Americans by birth.
Whether the program has been successful is unclear.
Over the last 12 months, half a dozen cases have popped up in Miami federal court involving defendants who have illegally procured Puerto Rican birth certificates to obtain passports or driver licenses.
A State Department spokeswoman said she was going to look into the matter, but ultimately did not respond to an email query from el Nuevo Herald. A spokesman for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration also did not respond to an email query from el Nuevo Herald.
When the Puerto Rican birth certificate law was enacted in December 2013, officials in San Juan said it was a tool to combat widespread identity theft on the island.
It came on the heels of a series of law enforcement raids on the island that disrupted a criminal organization that allegedly had stolen thousands of birth certificates from schools. The island’s legislature also acted after lawmakers learned that up to 40 percent of ID fraud on the mainland involves Puerto Rican birth certificates.
While officials in 2013 did not say Puerto Rican birth certificate scams would end under the new system, the general expectation was that such ID theft would be more difficult.
But the recent cases found in Miami Federal Court indicate that the problem may still be significant.
For example, last June 10, a woman named Raiza Melissa Sánchez Romero, who arrived at MIA on an American Airlines flight from Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital, sought entry into the country using a U.S. passport.
When something did not appear right, an MIA passport control officer pulled Sánchez out of the regular immigration line and sent her to an office to be interrogated further.
There, Sánchez acknowledged that she was a Honduran, not an American, and that she had obtained the passport using a Puerto Rican birth certificate he had bought, along with a Social Security Card, for $1,500.
In another case, a suspect identified in a criminal complaint as Roberto Hernández Reyes was accused in March 2014 of obtaining a Florida driver’s license while using the identity of a Puerto Rican – Anthony Medina Torres – who at the time was an inmate in a jail in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
After being arrested Hernández acknowledged being a Honduran, not a Puerto Rican. He also disclosed that he had paid $2,500 for a Puerto Rican birth certificate and a Social Security Card.
These are just two examples in Miami of similar cases in other parts of the country. Florida Watchdog. Org, a website that seeks more transparency in government, said in an article last year that despite the law that scrapped the old birth certificates, Puerto Ricans are still selling their new certificates to undocumented immigrants.
William Morales, 37, shown in jail in Mexico in 1983 after his escape from the US. The Puerto ... Morales was a bombmaker for a Puerto Rican nationalist group which claimed ...
Cubans to open talks about US fugitives including Assata Shakur as ties warm State Department says Cuba has agreed to open talks about two of the most-wanted US fugitives following re-establishment of diplomatic ties Cubans to open talks about US fugitives including Assata Shakur as ties warm State Department says Cuba has agreed to open talks about two of the most-wanted US fugitives following re-establishment of diplomatic ties Cuban and US foreign policy experts said the two governments appeared to have taken a major leap toward the reopening of embassies in Havana and Washington. Cuban and US foreign policy experts said the two governments appeared to have taken a major leap toward the reopening of embassies in Havana and Washington. Photograph: Desmond Boylan/AP Associated Press in Havana Wednesday 15 April 2015 16.45 EDT Last modified on Wednesday 15 April 2015 17.28 EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email Share on LinkedIn Share on Google+ Shares 4,582 Comments 23 The US and Cuba will open talks about two of the United States’ most-wanted fugitives as part of a new dialogue about law-enforcement cooperation made possible by President Barack Obama’s decision to remove Cuba from a list of state sponsors of terror, the State Department has announced. Assata Shakur: from civil rights activist to FBI's most-wanted Read more Jeff Rathke, a State Department spokesman, said Cuba had agreed to talks about fugitives including Joanne Chesimard, aka Assata Shakur, who was granted asylum by Fidel Castro after she escaped from a US prison where she was serving a sentence for killing a New Jersey state trooper in 1973. The US and Cuba will also discuss the case of William Morales, a Puerto Rican nationalist wanted in connection with bombings in New York in the 1970s. “We see the re-establishment of diplomatic relations and the reopening of an embassy in Havana as the means by which we’ll be able, more effectively, to press the Cuban government on law enforcement issues such as fugitives. And Cuba has agreed to enter into a law-enforcement dialogue with the United States that will work to resolve these cases,” Rathke said. The dialogue is also expected to address cooperation on more routine crimes, officials said. A Cuban government spokesman did not return calls seeking comment on Wednesday, but Josefina Vidal, Cuba’s top diplomat for US affairs, recently ruled out any return of political refugees. On Tuesday night she said that “the Cuban government recognizes the president of the United States’ just decision to take Cuba off a list in which it should never have been included.” Cuban and US foreign policy experts said the two governments appeared to have taken a major leap toward the reopening of embassies in Havana and Washington after four months of complex and occasionally frustrating negotiations. ...
In Puerto Rico, a push to revive indigenous culture KTVN Puerto Ricans' interest in the territory's indigenous past has grown in recent years, with 42,000 of the 3.7 million people then living on the island identifying themselves as at least partially Taino in the 2010 Census. But even though that's just a ...
Why Cuba Won't Extradite Assata Shakur Dissident Voice As negotiations continue between the governments of the United States and Cuba over the normalization of relations, the U.S. State Department has claimed Cuba is willing to discuss the extradition of political refugee Assata Shakur. ... As they had ...
This upodated and expanded 2013 edition includes new articles on political prisoners and the Puerto Rican diaspora and its consequences. “An essential sourcebook for a better understanding of thePuerto Ricans. The editors believe that ...
Puerto Rican birth certificates are sold to undocumented immigrants Miami Herald Six years ago, Puerto Rico passed a law that invalidated all existing birth certificates and required people born on the island to obtain a new “security-enhanced” certificate. U.S. officials said the new birth certificates would thwart the illicit ...
The deadly truth: ISIS and Mexican drug gangs WND.com States the report: “There are an estimated 1.4 million active street, prison and outlaw motorcycle gang members in more than 33,000 gangs operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia andPuerto Rico.” The report notes those numbers reflect an ...
DPW and CPA appointees told to look into Puerto Rico dump, military issues Marianas Variety GOVERNOR Eloy S. Inos and Lt. Gov. Ralph Torres on Friday had specific instructions for Department of Public Works Secretary James Ada and Commonwealth Ports Authority board members Jose Lifoifoi, Roman Tudela and Pete Reyes after they were ...
In Puerto Rico, a push to revive indigenous culture kwwl.com SAN LORENZO, Puerto Rico (AP) - In Puerto Rico's misty, bamboo-studded mountains, elementary school students are studying a nearly extinct language, beating on drums and growing native crops like cassava and sweet potato as they learn about the ...
In Puerto Rico, a push to revive indigenous culture Columbus Ledger-Enquirer SAN LORENZO, Puerto Rico — In Puerto Rico's misty, bamboo-studded mountains, elementary school students are studying a nearly extinct language, beating on drums and growing native crops like cassava and sweet potato as they learn about the indigenous ...
Educators look to revive Puerto Rico's indigenous past CTV News SAN LORENZO, Puerto Rico - In Puerto Rico's misty, bamboo-studded mountains, elementary school students are studying a nearly extinct language, beating on drums and growing native crops like cassava and sweet potato as they learn about the indigenous ...
To: Director of Federal Bureau of Investigations Mr. James B. Comey From: Michael Novakhov (Mike Nova), blogger Dear Mr. Comey: Since, regrettably, I missed your most enlightening, if only most docile and incoherent on the part of mainstream media, press-conference today, due to somewhat short notice and the lack of official journalistic accreditation, I would like most respectfully to ask you some questions.
What is the status of separatist movement, especially its violent wings, in Puerto Rico? What are your views on the resolution of Puerto Rico political status? How realistic and viable is the option of Puerto Rico statehood? What are the alternative options and their implications?
How do you view the general "law and order" and, specifically criminogenic situation, including its root causes, in Puerto Rico? What are your ideas about the ways to remedy it?
Your support for your people, which is only natural, expected and logical, was noted. However, what is your honest and sincere opinion about the professional qualifications of local Puerto Rico FBI branch? What are their strengths and their deficiencies? What are your suggestions for improving the quality and efficiency of their work?
What is Puerto Rico "Secret Police"? Does it exist? What are its functions? Who is its head? Who are its targets? Do they keep the records? If they do not, then why? If they do not keep the records, then what is the difference, in principle, between them and some street criminal gang? If they do not keep the records, how can they assess the quality and efficacy of their work and to improve and learn on their mistakes?
What is COINTELPRO? Who was the author of this approach and methods, besides the special agent Richard Held, who is called the "architect of COINTELPRO" and who was very active in Puerto Rico? Is this method efficient? Was its efficacy scientifically proven? Is it used now and for what purposes?
What is the general counterintelligence situation in Puerto Rico (as much as you can publicly answer, given the sensitivity of the subject)? What are the major threats? Are the counter-measures adequate? In the light of Senator Menendez affair, how active are Cuban, Russian and other hostile intelligence services in Puerto Rico? What are their methods? What is done to contain and neutralize them?
I understand that this is a "mouth-full", or '"response-full", however I am sure that you, with your exceptional communications and interpretations skills will be able to handle this, as always, on the most professional level. Please provide your responses in the comments to this post, or if you so prefer, by e-mail, snail mail or in any other way, shape or form. Your kindness, consideration and invaluable time are most sincerely appreciated. Michael Novakhov (Mike Nova), blogger (and part time "cyber-rebel", in FBI terminology)
_______________________________________________
FBI director is stunned with the amount of cases that are handled by the Island
By Mariana Cobián09.07.2014 | 6:21 pm
This is the first official visit of the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), James B. Comey, to Puerto Rico.(Vanessa.serra @ gfrmedia.com)
Comey acknowledged that the level of crime today is extremely high, and that is most noticeable when it occurs in a small island like ours.
FBI director surprised with number of cases that are handled by the Island
In his first official visit to Puerto Rico, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), James B. Comey, admitted that he was impressed by the number of criminal cases that just eight federal judges serve year after year in this jurisdiction.
"I am extremely surprised, astonished by the number of cases that move in federal court here.'s Simply remarkable that a small number of judges and a small number of prosecutors move a significant amount of important cases with a speed that would blow your head others in the first circuit, which is where we are ... I can not imagine another district judge with more cases than this, "confessed Comey, who met for the day with Judge Aida Delgado president of Columbus and other nine judges in the Federal Court on the island, of which eight criminal cases serve.
Comey said that you have to see how they can seek additional judicial resources, something that can work immediately, given that crime can not be reduced quickly.
The New York native and director who just spent 10 months in position participated in a press conference at the offices of the federal agency and indicated that came to the island as part of the visits made to the 56 district offices. He met with the head of the office of Puerto Rico, Carlos Cases, and other heads of federal and state agencies, including the chief federal prosecutor in Cuba, Rosa Emilia Rodriguez, Attorney Cesar Miranda and Police Superintendent Jose Caldero.
On his short visit, arrived yesterday, Tuesday and will march today, Wednesday, he said that he filled with satisfaction to see the teamwork between federal and state authorities, and that "all wear the team uniform of justice, no matter if federal or state because they face a common enemy. "
In fact, said one of the things I learned from this district is teamwork, given that elsewhere there are frictions between agencies, and "I do not see that here."
Yes acknowledged that more resources are needed to do the job. As for the FBI in Puerto Rico, said there are many vacancies you want to fill and then determine if it's personal foul.
Comey acknowledged that the level of crime today is extremely high, and that is most noticeable when it occurs in a small island like ours.
When asked about specific cases that have not solved the murder of Carlos Muñiz Varela 35 years, Comey said that his meetings were discussed several cases, "no one who will argue with you, but I have knowledge. "
"We researched in secret to protect the innocent and the guilty do not know we're onto them," said Comey, who also declined to comment on the situations that occurred in the past pro-independence groups.
As the squad set up last year in Puerto Rico to address cases of judicial corruption, Comey said he did not remember whether other teams specifically dedicated to these cases in other districts, but attending court, police and other corruption.
"Public corruption tends to be cultural and people think it's okay. Must uproot and prosecute many cases and meet a lot of time in prison. Should be sending a message to change the culture.'s A challenge in the U.S. and here, "Comey said.
"There has been satisfactory and educational for me, and I will return," he said on his visit to the Island
Comey was sworn in as FBI director on September 4, 2013. Was born in New York and studied at William and Mary University and went to law school at the University of Chicago. After finishing his studies, he was attorney for the Southern District of New York, and then in eastern Virginia district. He returned to New York after the attacks of September 11, 2001 and, in 2003, went on to be assistant prosecutor from the Justice Department in Washington DC
The head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Puerto Rico Carlos Cases said today
in Puerto Rico public corruption "has become a constant". "Yesterday,
FBI DirectorJames B . Comey said corruption had its ups ...
In his first official visit to Puerto Rico, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), James B . Comey , acknowledged that he was impressed by the number of criminal cases that just eight
federal judges serve year after year in this jurisdiction ...
James B . Comey , director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI for its acronym in English)
said on Wednesday he was "stunned" to the extraordinary number of criminal cases
that are handled by the Federal Court for the District of Puerto ...
The head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States, James B . Comey
is on the island for the first time and take part in a press conference this afternoon.
The press spokesman for the federal agency, Moses Quiñones said that ...
San Juan, Jul 10 (Prensa Latina) The director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), James B . Comey ,
refused to provide details about the claims of justice for the murder 35 years after the
Cuban-Puerto Rican independence Carlos Muñiz Varela ago.
July 9, 2014, 21:27 San Juan, July 9 (PL) The head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), James B . Comey , refused to give details today about the claims of justice for the murder 35 years ago of Cuban-Puerto Rican independence ...
This story is not only and not as much about the financial bankruptcy that the Island is facing but also about the bankruptcy political, social, historical and cultural.
