In a concerning development, border authorities in Arizona have reported an increase in migrants from Guinea attempting to enter the United States using fake passports, claiming to be minors. According to an internal memo from the U.S Border Patrol's Tucson Sector Intelligence Unit, these new arrivals are altering their ages in order to pose as unaccompanied minors, thereby increasing their chances of gaining entry into the country. The alert, cited by Fox News Digital, also suggested that officials from the Guinean government may be advising individuals on obtaining new passports and changing their ages to improve their chances of entering the U.S. as minors.

The memo included examples of both authentic and doctored Guinean passports, highlighting the discrepancies between the two. It further warned that Guinean passports issued in Conakry after June 2023 are likely to be fraudulent or altered. Border Patrol officials suspect that an "illicit group" stole blank passport books from the Guinean ministry in Conakry and has been selling and issuing these passports without following proper procedures.

The alert comes at a time when hundreds of Guinean men have been crossing into the U.S through the Tucson sector, as reported by Fox News. On Saturday alone, nearly 170 Guinean nationals were estimated to have crossed through this sector, according to Border Patrol sources.

Former Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Chad Wolf, expressed his concern regarding the allegations of faked passports, especially in light of the record number of migrants that crossed the southern border in December. He stated that the overwhelming numbers of migrants put a strain on the border patrol, making it easier for smugglers and cartels to exploit the situation. Wolf further claimed that these criminal organizations are coaching individuals on how to cross the border and alter passports to ensure their release into the country.

The internal alert also raised suspicions about the involvement of the Guinean government in the passport fraud. Custodial interviews with Guinean migrants using suspected fake passports revealed that government officials may be advising individuals on changing their ages to increase their chances of entering the U.S. as minors. This suggests a potential direct role played by the Guinean government in facilitating this fraudulent activity.

The situation has raised concerns about the broken immigration system and the need for stronger border control measures. With the increasing number of migrants attempting to enter the U.S. using fraudulent means, authorities are faced with the challenge of identifying and deterring such activities. The implications of this trend extend beyond the immediate issue of border security, highlighting the need for comprehensive immigration reforms to address the root causes of these illegal activities.