According to T13, the Civil Registry and Identification Service responded to a report by the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR). The document found irregularities in the issuance of identity cards to foreigners at the Nancagua office, in the O'Higgins region, during 2021 and 2022.
The service maintained that the institution itself reported the incidents to the Public Prosecutor's Office. It also said it took legal action against those allegedly involved.
According to T13, the Comptroller General's report revealed that the office processed identity documents using invalid immigration records or records whose authenticity could not be verified. The article does not specify how many identity cards may have been issued irregularly.
The Civil Registry specified that it filed a criminal complaint, and later an expanded complaint, with the Santa Cruz Guarantee Court. The action targets "the members of the external network and the employee involved", according to the service.
The institution added that it requested additional investigative measures. These included asking the Comptroller General's Office for a report on changes in assets and requesting the reopening of the criminal investigation, with the aim of ensuring that the incidents did not go unpunished. The source does not report the current status of the case.
Regarding failures in document validation, the service explained that the incidents occurred when checks were carried out using manual procedures.
According to the agency, a new Identification, Identity and Travel Documents System is now operating. This platform exchanges information in real time with the National Migration Service (Sermig), the Investigative Police (PDI) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The institution said this technology automatically validates foreigners' immigration records before issuing a document. This, it said, reduces the opportunities for document manipulation.
The case touches on a sensitive issue. Chilean identity cards provide access to banking, employment and healthcare procedures, so their irregular issuance undermines trust in the identification system.
The Civil Registry closed its statement with a commitment to continue cooperating with the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Comptroller General's Office. The next step will depend on the progress of the criminal complaint in the Santa Cruz Guarantee Court and the possible reopening of the criminal investigation.
