A recent examination highlighted the vulnerability of Europe?s border security. The security implemented so far has not resulted in border patrols as an efficient anti-counterfeit entity, although officials insist that precautions have been employed. The latest revelation has an important impact on not only the EU but also on US safety due to the Visa Waiver program.
Counterfeit passports and other IDs continue to be one of the biggest and most profitable businesses by Europe?s organized crime syndicates. With sophisticated European passports in their hands, illegal immigrants are granted a free pass to any European Union country and further to the US if they can get through Schengen border patrols undetected. And, a big portion does.
In the latest examination, BBC investigative reporter Shahida Tulagov traveled around Europe clandestinely obtaining fake passports, which she later used to get back in to the UK (source). Her travels took her to the dark underground streets of major cities and to shady individuals who unquestioningly provided her with fake documents for the right price. She received illegal passports from more than 20 EU countries, including the UK , Germany , Sweden , Spain , Netherlands , Belgium , Poland , the Baltics, among others.
Remarkably, her first lead was through an advertisement in a Russian newspaper in London. This tellingly points to the criminal?s boldness, the industry?s vast profitability, and the country with a predominance of counterfeiters. Further, Tulagov received useful advice from her dealers on how to travel under her illegal identity, including for her to travel via sea or bus but not by airports, as they were under increased scrutiny for fake documents. According to her accounts, she entered the UK and other countries by boat and rail without difficulty.
Tulagov?s report has exposed Europe?s, and by extension the United States?, susceptibility to threats posed by organized crime and terrorist organizations. The remarkable task, set out to check the UK?s and greater Europe?s border security five years after 9-11, has raised serious questions about EU nations? policies in securing their homelands from illegal intruders.
The UK?s Home Office and other comparable authorities around Europe maintain that ample precautions have been taken among EU member states and between the EU and the United States. Innovative tools consist of new forgery detection equipment, better trained immigration officers, and enhanced bilateral agreements that include the introduction of biometric e-passports.
However, as TRC have observed, these precautions have proved insufficient, particularly the training customs officers receive and the use of biometric technology. Tulagov?s test is just the latest of many others that have provided evidence that many border security officials remain incompetent in screening travelers and thwarting entry by illegal immigrants or subversives. Further, the implementation of biometric passports will not be of much help unless supporting systems?cataloging databases, etc–that can be accessed by police and other agencies, who have all been trained sufficiently on these technologies, are put in place.
