We have a practical problem to solve, so if we can somehow keep the political out so the thread is open more than 5 minutes, I’d appreciate it!
S2 and SO live in a metro area where she has been accosted twice since the election to defend her citizenship. She is a non-european , adopted internationally as an infant and does not have a driver’s license but does have a passport. Obviously, carrying her passport is not an option, nor would it interest a bully.
But, we are seeing reports of Homeland Security setting up “border” patrol stations 100 miles from the actual border (it’s legal) and worry she is going to be swept up unfairly. Open for suggestions about the problem, again, not looking for input about the ethics/legality of the policy involved.
Should she carry something else? Have a lawyer’s card? Do you acquiese or resist?
She might be able to get a non-drivers license. (At least you can get one in NY - don’t know about your state.) Minimally I’d carry a photocopy of the passport. And yes a lawyer’s card as well.
Can you order a passport card? About the size of a Driver’s License and less costly. I’m not sure if you have to order these at at the same time you get your passport or not but they are very convenient for use within the US.
Any chance she could get a driver’s license? The new ones are able to be used as identification for this type of situation. As suggested, check to see if the state issues identification cards for those who don’t drive.
Photocopy the passport. When we travel, we also email ourselves photos copies so we have them in our phones…if needed.
+1 on the U.S. passport card. Much easier to carry around. If she’s being accosted based on her physical appearance, then DHS officers probably won’t be impressed by a photocopy of her passport.
I know you can get a state issued ID card in NJ , but not sure how other states deal with this. I am also not sure what ID would be considered sufficient either since I happen to know two undocumented people who obtained driver’s licenses
In Ohio, like most places, a valid drivers license serves well as ID. But Ohio also offers state issued ID’s that are not drivers licenses. They are primarily used by people that cannot drive(many reasons why) who want to be able to quickly show ID.
The passport card or photocopy of the passport is a great suggestion, since a driver’s license does not prove citizenship! Non-citizens are able to get driver’s licenses in this country. We had several au pairs when our kids were young. All were able to get a driver’s license here in the US (we just had to bring proof of residency). And most of the folks who live and work in our area who entered the country on tourist visas but stayed (and are therefore technically illegal immigrants but who are paying taxes, etc.) all have driver’s licenses also.
In CT, there are two kinds of drivers licenses…one just for driving…and the other which can serve as identification. To get the higher level card, you need two forms of identification, mail to your address, and several other things. You need proof of your name and any changes (like a marriage or divorce). I don’t think an undocumented person would be able to get this one.
Not sure if they have two kinds of state ID cards.
My children also carried state identification cards before they had licenses and also their global entry cards. I think the identification cards were five dollars. Used them all the time.
Just out of curiosity, what type of identication does your son and his SO carry? I assume they are both adults? I’m not sure how one could get medical Care, take a flight, enter a hospital,or even use a credit card sometimes, without ID.
Throughout the country, there are people who cannot drive for medical reasons but still need to be able to get on airplanes and cash checks. There is always a state ID equivalent to a driver’s license except for the fact that it does not allow the person to drive. I think your son’s SO needs one.
I guess I should have added that in Ohio, documentation of oneself and address is necessary to obtain both of the 2 type of ID. So a person here contrary to immigration laws (hows that for PC?) would not be able to obtain one, legally.
And yes, janjmom, anyone here that has overstayed their visa requirements is here illegally, regardless of what taxes they may pay. The taxes they may pay does not affect whether they are here legally or not. That is not political, but is merely one example of the definition of illegal immigration.
Some states do not require proof of citizenship to get an ID. So the state ID would prove your identity and state residence in those states, but not US citizenship.
I would talk to an immigration lawyer to learn if your fears are realistic and if so, what you should know just in case.
In NYS, you must be a citizen or legal resident of the US and a resident of NY, to get a non-driver’s ID, so if you qualify for one and can obtain it, it would seem to me that it would serve the purpose for which the OP is asking about. I would think that most states would have something similar. However, the NYC issued ID would probably not work, since it is given to anyone who can prove residency in NYC, without a requirement for proving US citizenship or legal status in the country.
Most US citizens do not routinely carry anything that proves US citizenship (or even legal presence). Note that driver’s licenses and state IDs do not prove US citizenship, since states may issue them to permanent residents, people on work visas, etc…
It’s up to them if they acquiesce or resist and I wish them well either way. There are youtube videos of people refusing to acquiesce with citizenship checkpoints in the southwest and I’m not sure that would work for anyone who is not a white male, and it may not work for them anymore either!
Another point to consider is that the government considers the 100 mile border to include all coastline as well so this covers the parts of the country where a majority of people live. A passport card sounds like your best best.
Here’s something on your rights within the 100 mile border: