Man attempts fraudulent means to claim asylum in El Paso

An adult male attempted to fraudulently claim asylum as an unaccompanied minor at the Paso del Norte Port of Entry, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

On October 14, Baltazar Almicar Nolasco Pascual, 21, was in a group being escorted to the U.S. from Mexico by members of a non-governmental organization when he attempted to use his minor cousin’s Guatemalan birth certificate to claim asylum, CBP officials reported in a statement.

“History has proven that people will attempt to utilize any method they can to enter our nation in a fraudulent manner,” said Ray Provencio, CBP El Paso acting Port Director. “We strongly encourage those who want to support those seeking entry to be vigilant that those they support aren’t attempting to circumvent U.S. laws.”

Nolasco Pascual will be prosecuted on charges of False or Misleading Representation.

He was booked into the El Paso County Jail.