Section 1541 of Title 18 makes it a crime to issue or verify a
passport,
or other instrument in the nature of a passport, without authority to do so.
For
example, state and local governments may not issue documents designed to
facilitate overseas travel of their residents. 17 Op.Att.Gen. 674 (1884).
Similarly, forgery of a document purporting to be such a travel document
issued
by a state or local government would also violate 18 U.S.C. § 1541. 9
Op.Att.Gen. 350 (1859). 18 U.S.C. § 1541 also makes it a crime for
consular
officers to verify passports for persons not owing allegiance to the United
States, even if they are citizens.
The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act
(IIRIRA)
amended this statute to provide for enhanced penalties if the offense was
committed to facilitate an act of international terrorism or a drug
trafficking
crime.