5-31-2007



Warlem Campos Jacomini came to Oregon from New York a little while back. He was hoping to meet up with a man named "Armando." Armando, according to reports, helps people who are not documented citizens obtain legal ID cards like driver's licenses (according to statements by Jacomini he was one of twelve clients Armando had at that time). Jacomini hoped to take advantage of one of Oregon's rules at the DMV that very few states share.



According to reps at the DMV, in Oregon (and nine other states including Washington) you need only present evidence of residency in order to obtain a license. All other states require a proof of citizenship. (Driver's licenses open the door to myriad social benefits . . . currently the Real ID Act is pushing this kind of verification nationwide).



Dozens of people like Jacomini come to Oregon from out of state every week offering phony utility bills in an effort to gain a driver's license.



Jacomini is facing forgery charges but very few people even get arrested for trying to pass bogus material. The DMV says if it's a formal ID document (like a birth certificate) they call the cops. If it's something like a bad utility bill, all they can do is refuse service. They say it's because the bad utility bill is just a misrepresentation of your address . . . not an attempt to lie about who you are.