Crash raises issues of fake IDs, immigration

Photo provided by KSTP

The van driver who witnesses says hit a school bus, killing four children, appeared in court Friday. She gave her name as Alianiss Nunez Morales, but authorities say this is not her real name.

There's a brisk trade in false documents in the state, spurring some legislators to call for crackdowns.

By JEAN HOPFENSPERGER, Star Tribune

Last update: February 25, 2008 - 9:10 AM

Questions about Alianiss Nunez Morales' identity don't surprise Minnesotans who work with immigrants, saying it points to a flourishing statewide trade in false documents.

It also points to the need to tighten sanctions for using fake documents and crack down on illegal immigration, argue some political leaders.

"To be honest, people can get false documents quickly and easily,'' said Sgt. Kevin Flynn, of the Worthington Police Department, which has experience with dubious documents. "It's basically just word of mouth. People can go out and buy a birth certificate and a Social Security card, and then ... obtain other forms of ID.''

A woman originally identified as Morales was charged in connection with the crash that killed four children on Tuesday near Cottonwood. Federal investigators said Friday they believe the woman is using an alias and is in the United States illegally.

A birth certificate and Social Security card are among documents that can be used to get a Minnesota ID, which the woman was carrying when her van collided with the school bus.

Police shouldn't be surprised that -- if they discover the ID is false -- there could be multiple "Alianiss Nunez Morales" around the country, said Uriel Perez Espinoza, vice president of UNITE HERE Local 17, which organizes restaurant and hotel workers.

"Someone may have sold an ID to her [Morales] and then to other people in other states,'' Espinoza said. "There are guys who are exploiting people. This is what happens when you live in the shadows.''

Feds 'ignored the problem'

Morales' identification indicated she was from Puerto Rico, which is one of the hot spots for bogus identification in Minnesota, said law enforcement officials. They say they are increasingly frustrated about the fake driver's licenses, green cards and other IDs showing up across the state.

"It's pretty clear the federal government has ignored the problem so long that it's become institutionalized,'' said Michael Campion, Minnesota public safety commissioner.

The Minnesota ID, which Morales was carrying, is a state-issued document that can be used in lieu of a driver's license for such things as writing checks or buying liquor.

More than 118,000 people were issued Minnesota IDs last year, according to the Department of Public Safety. The number of such IDs has grown steadily in the past three years.

Meanwhile, legislators calling for a crackdown on illegal immigration say the Cottonwood crash underscores the need for several bills to pass the Legislature. They include a bill that would increase penalties for using false IDs and one tightening requirements for obtaining driver's licenses

"This is a tragic accident: I think we need to mourn a bit here,'' said Sen. Joe Gimse, R-Willmar, an author of those bills. "But I'm hopeful this will help to raise awareness of the issues we're working on.''

However, some immigrants' advocates argue that the crash shows that Minnesota should follow the lead of several other states that allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. That way they would have the same background as other drivers.

Jean Hopfensperger • 651-298-1553

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