Community organization “Restore Roosevelt Avenue” sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on September 28, complaining that fake U.S. green cards, passports, and social security cards are openly being sold in the Roosevelt Avenue area of Queens, New York. They have requested federal government intervention to investigate and enforce the law.
The organization stated that on September 24, they obtained a video showing a man selling the aforementioned documents at the intersection of 76th St. and Roosevelt Avenue, with prices ranging from $130 to $200 per document. The man claimed that one of the documents was a replica of the latest version issued by the federal government.
In the letter addressed to the Executive Secretary’s Office of the Department of Homeland Security on September 28, the organization raised concerns about the sale of fake passports, green cards, and social security cards on Roosevelt Avenue. Due to the striking resemblance these fake documents may bear to authentic government-issued identification, they worry that these counterfeit documents could be used for other crimes, evade law enforcement, and pose security risks.
According to the organization, aside from the mentioned location, there are multiple other spots on Roosevelt Avenue where fake documents are being sold, and there may be a production hub for counterfeit documents nearby. They have urged the federal government to investigate the transactions of fake passports, green cards, and social security cards and take enforcement actions against individuals suspected of violating federal laws.
Members of “Restore Roosevelt Avenue,” including former New York State Senator Hiram Monserrate, expressed the need for federal and state law enforcement agencies to ramp up their focus on organized crime issues on Roosevelt Avenue.
Monserrate highlighted that there have been two stabbing incidents at the intersection of 76th St. and Roosevelt Avenue in the past two weeks, with the most recent one resulting in a fatality. He pointed out that gangs and criminal syndicates in the area are involved in activities such as selling counterfeit documents, human trafficking, and drug trafficking. Therefore, the community will continue to demand government action.
Chairwoman of “Restore Roosevelt Avenue,” Rosa Sanchez, indicated that the security issues have begun to impact the daily lives of some residents. Some residents have altered their routes to the No. 7 subway line due to safety concerns, while others are avoiding shopping on Roosevelt Avenue altogether. She believes that the police presence on Roosevelt Avenue is insufficient and that current measures are failing to address residents’ security concerns.