Activists Urge Federal Action Against Fake Document Sales on Roosevelt Avenue

A coalition of Queens residents is demanding federal intervention to combat the flourishing trade of fraudulent identification documents along a notorious stretch of Roosevelt Avenue. The Restore Roosevelt Avenue Coalition formally requested that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) take action against the sale of fake passports, green cards, and Social Security cards, which they say poses a significant threat.

In a letter sent to DHS on Monday, the activist group highlighted the escalating problem, asserting that the counterfeit documents are indistinguishable from official identification. Hiram Monserrate, a former state senator and leader of the coalition, stated that these fake documents could facilitate further criminal activity, aid individuals in evading law enforcement, and compromise national security.

The coalition released a video allegedly showing an attempt to sell counterfeit green cards on 76th Street and Roosevelt Avenue, a location that has recently seen increased violence, including a murder. Monserrate noted that gangs and cartels are involved in selling these fraudulent documents, alongside other illicit activities such as human trafficking and drug distribution.

Roosevelt Avenue, which runs through the Queens neighborhoods of Jackson Heights, Corona, Elmhurst, and Woodside, has been a focal point for community concerns regarding public safety and quality-of-life issues. The neighborhood has also seen a recent surge in the sex trade, with prostitution-related arrests reportedly decreasing significantly in the area.

The New York Post has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, the NYPD, and the mayor's office for comment on the matter.