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An investigation into a hate crime in Watervliet has led to the discovery of multiple fraudulent state driver's licenses and REAL IDs. The probe began after the arrest of Hossein Haider, an 18-year-old Afghan national, who allegedly forced his way into a neighbor's home and assaulted a Pakistani resident on March 1. Haider reportedly made derogatory remarks about the victim's nationality during the attack, resulting in his arrest and charge with a hate crime.
During Haider's arraignment in Watervliet City Court, a passport was presented suggesting he was under 18, conflicting with the driver's license he had at the time of his arrest. This discrepancy raised concerns about the authenticity of the documents. Watervliet police, along with the Department of Homeland Security, suspect the passport may be fake. According to CBS6 Albany, the investigation has revealed that several state driver's licenses and REAL IDs are fraudulent.
The Green Light Law, which allows individuals 16 and older to apply for a standard license regardless of citizenship status, has complicated the investigation. Authorities were unable to obtain information from the DMV due to the law's privacy provisions. Greg Rinckey, Founding Partner at Tully Rinckey PLLC, highlighted the challenges this law presents in verifying identities during investigations.
As the investigation continues, Watervliet police have stated that the case may uncover a larger issue of fraudulent identification documents in the state. Haider is currently out on bail, and the Department of Homeland Security has been contacted to verify his citizenship status and investigate further fraudulent IDs in New York.