http://miami.cbslocal.com/2018/01/22/border-patrol-defends-arrest-greyhound-bus/
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/immigration/article196016724.html
https://www.snopes.com/customs-agents-bus-citizenship/
What should a US citizen do when asked for proof of US citizenship when doing something that does not involve crossing an international border?
Many people have DL with a gold star, which is not good enough to cross a border but is often good enough for the agents on a bus. Florida licenses/state ID’s have them. Green card holder must have their green cards on them at all times.
My (Chinese) daughter has been stopped twice in Southern California in immigration stops (like DUI stops). Both times they just asked if she was a US citizen, she said yes, and that was it. They didn’t even ask for an ID.
Wow! The only thing many folks MAY carry is a DL or student ID or state ID. Have not heard of anything like this happening in our state.
The ACLU has tips on what to do in such an instance. Know your rights (you don’t need to answer their questions). Share with others.
https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-if-youre-stopped-police-immigration-agents-or-fbi
What the heck? Of course I don’t carry a passport when taking public transportation. Moreover, although as it happens I have a passport, I’m not legally required to have one. Most US citizens don’t have passports.
These ICE people are cartoon villains.
Wait, what country are we living in?
A little overboard.
Apparently they were looking for a specific person…who they found.
I can see asking for an ID…but proof of citizenship? For a domestic bus ride?
They have certain authorization with 100 miles (I think) of any border. All ocean coastline is considered a border!
It’s still not legal but these bullies get away with it because they will probably detain you for questioning if you refuse them, and by then you’ve missed your bus. So most people comply. I have a real ID DL now, but no one else in my family does. I would tell them, “sorry, I don’t have my birth certificate or passport with me”. Grrrrrrrrr.
I do happen to carry my passport card as I never know when I need to travel to Canada on a short notice.
Perhaps if more Americans understood their rights and exercised them by not responding to the requests, especially those who are at no risk, it would get them to change their ways. Even if I had proof on me, I wouldn’t show it to them because I don’t want to perpetuate these tactics.
Me too, dos. Even though said passport card is in my wallet.
I have my RealID license in my wallet but wouldn’t share it if confronted by goon squad. I’d call my attorney instead because I don’t want the US to become overrun by goon squads.
In southern California, there are border checkpoints up to 50 miles from the Mexican border. When you are driving through one, generally they just ask for your citizenship. However, I would imagine that if you get sent to secondary inspection, the information requested would be more. The Border Patrol has authority within 100 miles of any border, including the ocean.
Yeah, within 50 miles of the ocean covers our entire state. So far, knock wood, things have been calm on immigration as we are a sanctuary city/state.
On the Nicaraguan side of the Costa Rica/Nicaraguan border, the bus I was on was stopped. Police of some sort got on and came specifically to me to ask for citizenship papers. Of course, I had a copy of passport because I was border crossing.
In the US? No. I would never carry my passport. Because this isn’t Nicaragua. At least it didn’t used to be…
I live within 50 miles of the Canadian border. Of course I’ve never been stopped by border patrol on either side of the border.
My entire state is also within 100 miles of the coast. They might be able to ask, but I won’t be carrying it. And I don’t have to.
Yes
This is very worrisome, my green card was stolen and I have a police report and a photocopy of my original green card, but I still could be detained for not having a physical card. (It can take 6 months to a year to get a replacement)
If I was detained how long would it take and how expensive would it be to prove I’m legally allowed to be here?
^^You should carry your passport with you and the other documents that give a chain of what happened. The number from your Green Card should be on the entry visa on your passport.
Global entry card is always in the wallet. No problem here.