Working With Fake Documents: What Hispanics in the U.S. Could Face

Working with fake documents in the United States can now bring far more serious immigration and criminal consequences than in previous years, especially for undocumented Hispanics who use false identities to obtain employment.

• Why it matters: Stricter immigration policies and an increase in fraud and identity-related investigations are raising the risks for thousands of Hispanic workers trying to support themselves economically in the country.

Authorities tighten measures against immigration fraud

According to a report by El País, thousands of immigrants use false identities or altered documents to gain access to jobs across different sectors of the US economy.

The practice continues despite raids carried out by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting companies that employ undocumented workers and networks dedicated to document forgery.

Experts cited by the outlet believe the problem has worsened following the tightening of immigration policies promoted by President Donald Trump, especially after restrictions were imposed on humanitarian programs and temporary protections.

The growing immigration pressure has left millions of people without clear options to regularize their immigration status or legally access the labor market.

Identity theft can bring permanent consequences for immigrants

One of the biggest risks arises when a person uses the identity of a US citizen to work.

According to recent data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), complaints related to identity theft increased considerably. In 2023, nearly 19,000 complaints and losses totaling $126 million were recorded. A year later, that figure rose to 31,000 complaints and $185 million in losses.

Immigration attorneys warn that falsely claiming to be a US citizen can trigger permanent immigration consequences.

In statements cited by Univision, immigration lawyer José Guerrero explained that falsely checking the US citizenship box on employment forms can permanently eliminate any future possibility of obtaining legal residency.

The I-9 form, required for all employers in the United States, demands proof of legal authorization to work. According to experts, some immigrants resort to fake documents or falsely claim US citizenship to complete the process.

Authorities consider fraud involving US citizenship identity especially serious because it can lead not only to deportation proceedings but also to criminal charges.

Immigration policy changes are increasing uncertainty in the US

As immigration enforcement intensifies, several humanitarian programs implemented in previous years are facing restrictions or legal uncertainty.

The Migration Policy Institute noted that during the administration of Joe Biden, millions of migrants received temporary work permits and deportation protections through programs such as TPS, humanitarian parole, and CBP One.

Beneficiaries included hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, Haitians, Cubans, and Nicaraguans, as well as Ukrainian and Afghan nationals.

However, since Donald Trump returned to office in 2025, several of those protections have been restricted or are gradually being eliminated.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS), for example, benefited approximately 1.3 million people as of March 2025. Many of those permits are set to expire between 2025 and 2026, although some cancellations remain temporarily blocked by court decisions.

DACA remains active but closed to new applicants

Another key program for young immigrants continues to face uncertainty.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), created in 2012 to protect from deportation individuals brought to the country as minors, still had around 516,000 active participants through June 2025.

Although the program remains active after multiple court battles, it is still closed to new applicants.

Most DACA recipients come from Mexico, followed by El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

California and Texas continue to have the largest number of active participants.

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What comes next

Immigration specialists recommend that undocumented workers seek legal advice before making decisions related to employment or documentation.

The increase in immigration enforcement and fraud-related accusations could lead to more legal consequences in the coming months, especially for individuals who used false identities or falsely claimed US citizenship.