The U.S. Senate learned Wednesday just how easy it is to create phony identification.

Undercover investigators testified they were able to fool border patrol agents with forged documents 18 times in the past three years.

"Frankly, it's hard to believe there's been so little progress in plugging this gaping hope in our security fence," said Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa).

Customs agents have caught a number of counterfeiters in the act in recent months, including some in our area.

Senators said the Homeland Security Department doesn't have nearly enough technology to detect the fake IDs themselves. One senator said liquor stores have better equipment to find fakes than do the agents on the border.

Analysts said illegal immigrants aren't' having much trouble getting into the country because they aren't having much trouble getting fake IDs.

They also said the report is alarming because it shows how easy it can be to make IDs for terrorists.

Herbert Villalobos, a counterfeiter busted this summer, made fake IDs for two 9/11 hijackers.

"Terrorists aren't likely to sneak across the southwest border. They're likely to fly into JFK airport and mix into the general population," said the CATO Institute's Daniel Griswald.

Last year, federal agents broke open a counterfeit ring in Ohio which was supplying Middle Eastern men with fake Ohio driver's licenses.

Wednesday, Senators learned too many counterfeiters are getting away with the crime, including immigrants trying to get into the country and terrorists who are already here.

-Renee Cardelli & Scott MacFarlane, NEWS9