Originally Posted by
colpuck
My Russian visa (expired) has never failed to garner increased attention from anyone. Perversely it garnered the most attention at Canadian Immigration, but whatever. I understand using a passport to go through TSA "screening", but the last thing I want is my passport in their hands. The last thing I need is some 8$/hr lackey confiscating my passport, and messing up my travel plans.
If one of these TSA ID check goons even attempts to confiscate my passport, there will be $@#! to pay.
If one of them every attempts to take your passport here is what to do, and do not back down: Politely ask for both a LEO and someone from ICS (if the airport has international in it, or has international flights there is a representative from ICS at the airport) to come to checkpoint. You may have to wait a while for ICS to get there, but the LEO may get you through quicker. Then ask the ICS representative in the presence of the LEO to verify the document. If they need to take it somewhere to "verify it" ask to go with them. They should comply with this request as this is the way they handle document questions at immigration. (think the great side room, if the inspector questions anything you go there). This may take time and you may miss your flight, but is absolutely necessary.
If you do not do this and your passport is taken by TSA the likelihood of you getting another passport is quite low. the reason is that you will not have your old passport to submitt on the new applicaiton. Further, you will have to submitt on the form the reason why you cannot submit the old passport. You will have to say it was siezed at the airport (anything else is a lie, and they will know that because they will have the old one, but may not know the facts around the siezure) the fact that it was siezed at the airport will likely cause them to question your use of the passport (i.e. did you loan it to someone else). If they question the reason for the siezure, it is up to you to prove everything was kosher and not the otherway around. (in other words you have to prove you are not guilty of any misuse of the passport) I have had two lost/stolen passports and it was a royal PITA to get the second replacement as I had to prove everything beyond submitting the associated police reports. The person I ended up working with at State informed me that you do not have the right to a passport, it is given at the discretion of the U.S. Government. (though you have the right to apply)
Now someone at TSA may be able to correct me on this, but my understanding of the ID check is that if you present an ID at the checkpoint the checker must take physical possession of the document (i.e. you cannot hold it, nor can you withdraw it after presenting it), inspect it, and then either return it to you (if it passes) or keep it (if it doesn't pass), or ask you for more documents. Further, if they do keep the document, it is my understanding that you do not get to go through as NO ID, but are going to be waiting for LEO et al. to show up and give you the 3rd degree.