PROVIDENCE, R.I.—An illegal immigrant from Bolivia was arrested at a state office after he allegedly showed a fake ID and a worker in the office, prompted by Gov. Don Carcieri's executive order cracking down on illegal immigration, called police.
State Police on Wednesday identified the man as Mario Chirinos, 31, who lives in Providence but told police he is originally from Bolivia.
They said he went to the Contractors' Registration Board Tuesday and tried to get a contractor's license, which he told them was so he could work as a carpeting installer.
George Whalen, executive director of the board, told WPRI-TV the man showed a worker a driver's license, but it looked fake. Whalen says the employee called police because of the governor's executive order.
Carcieri's order, signed last month, requires state offices and companies doing business with the state to verify the legal status of new employees. It also directs State Police to verify the immigration status of people they stop or arrest if they suspect they're here illegally. Any illegal immigrants they would be turned over to federal authorities for possible deportation.
Carcieri has encouraged other government agencies to join his effort. He expects state workers to report fraud and suspected immigration violations, a Carcieri spokesman said.
State Police said Chirinos was carrying a fake driver's license, fake state ID card, fake Social Security card and fake Permanent Resident Alien Card with various names, addresses and birthdates. They say he admitted he got into the United States illegally through Mexico.
Lt. Jim Demers says police believe Chirinos may have been here as many as six years.
Chirinos was charged with identity fraud and filing a false document. He was arraigned and posted a surety bail of $5,000, police said.
He was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Tuesday for possible deportation and was taken to the federal Wyatt Detention Center.
Chirinos was being held and could not be reached for comment. It was not known if he had a lawyer, and the Bolivian Embassy in Washington did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
