Originally Posted by
BLI-Flyer
A DL most certainly does NOT prove citizenship, legal residency, or whether or not you are legally in this country.
Well actually that's not entirely true. A DL in CA is issued with proof of immigration/citizenship. I know some other states that do is as well. However I see your point. At the point of inspection, in AZ, the peace officer will have no way of knowing which of the 49 states do a background check for immigration before issuing the DL. So a DL by itself may not suffice. Then there are fake IDs etc.
The issue is a little more complex - and hence the agitation. The point was that the lack of immigration documents cannot be the primary motive of being pulled over or arrest. If an individual has been arrested for lets say burglary, speeding, or any other crime/misdemeanor, then this line of questioning can kick in and the individual handed over to the immigration authorities. But, alas, that's not what happened.
So, I am brown-skinned, in the country legally - a citizen, with frequent trips to Phoenix for business and you can bet I will be carrying my passport with me all the time - sad, but this is what the law has come down to - I know I will get pulled over in Phoenix exiting the airport in a rental car in the middle of the night for being the wrong shade of skin color!
Originally Posted by
BLI-Flyer
If you are a US citizen, you need to show NOTHING. There is no requirement that US citizens carry proof of citizenship at all times, and no requirement that you have to prove to local cops that you are a US citizen.
I think you meant to say "If you are a US citizen
AND WHITE, you need to show NOTHING"
Originally Posted by
paulTX
When I got my Green Card I was reminded in my "Welcome Packet" to carry my Green Card with me
at all times.
This is also stipulated on the USCIS website and has been for as long as I remember.
"
A green card is issued to all permanent residents as proof that they are authorized to live and work in the United States. If you are a permanent resident age 18 or older, you are required to have a valid green card in your possession at all times. "
Link here
So I don't see what the big deal is. It's a condition of my permanent resident status that I respect- and I don't even live in Arizona
You are 100% correct! A "non-US Citizen legal immigrant" has to always have a proof of immigration status on their person all the time - be it a green card or a foreign passport with the valid US Visa.
I think the point is what about US citizens? Illegal immigrants and US citizens both do not carry any valid proof of citizenship on their person while traveling within the US - so how to you differentiate between them?