Stolen Passports Still Used to Enter U.S.

[Kadie]

Stolen Passports Still Used to Enter U.S.

Wednesday June 23, 2004 10:31 PM


By SUZANNE GAMBOA

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - People using stolen passports still are able to enter the country despite enhanced security checks meant to keep them out, Congress was told Wednesday.

And sometimes when U.S. border authorities discover such passports and deny entry, they give the documents back to the travelers, said Clark Kent Ervin, the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general.

That part of Ervin's testimony before the House Committee on International Relations rankled California Rep. Tom Lantos, the panel's top Democrat. He called such a practice ``moronic'' and ``idiotic.''

``An insane asylum would be embarrassed to have such a procedure,'' Lantos said.

more... http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-4238215,00.html