[2] Microstates' U.N. membership has been controversial, on the grounds that their ability to participate in U.N. discussions and decisions and contribute meaningfully to the goals of the organization is limited.
[4] Another concern is that a warship, or an airplane-load of mercenaries, could easily establish effective control over an island microstate, with the vote in the U.N. General Assembly, which serves as a sounding board for "world public opinion", being an enticement to gain dominance over such a country.
[5] In addition to the burdens of state for recognized microstates is the temptation to confuse border controls between legitimate entities by those presenting with illegitimate passports.
In the first instance, many self-proclaimed microstates and self-identified groups issue passport-type documents for the purposes of fostering international legitimacy, such as the diplomatic passport of Comité International pour la Protection des Droits de l'Homme (CIPDH) a group presenting itself as a UN agency, and numerous North American First Nations.
In the second circumstance, a state which no longer exists in international eyes may persist as a landless rump which continues to issue travel documents for its personnel or adherents.