To carry, or not to carry - that is the question....

[Ombligo]

My wife and I live inside the pink border area in the map above. Inside that zone, ICE may stop and question anyone, and take them into custody without a warrant.

My wife is a naturalized citizen from Honduras. That is one of the three Central American countries targeted by Trump for immigration control. Lately, I have begun to consider asking my wife to carry her US passport when she goes out of town. This is a proof of her citizenship and should protect her rights. I've tried dismissing this as paranoia on my part.

I guess I am not alone - https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/16/us/im...index.html

Realistically, the odds of her encountering an issue is remote. Still carrying the passport is a small way of protecting her.

Maybe I'm becoming paranoid, but I can't believe it has reached the point where this is even being considered.

I want my country back.

[cbelt3]

Ombligo,

Carry. Even then it's not enough for the ICE-Gestapo. My condolences to you and your wonderful wife for having to deal with the insanity that is the United States in the 21st Century.

Ed: Note that the "Real-ID" licenses will supposedly show citizenship status. Um, well, actually they show "non citizen" status, because you can't get one without being a citizenship. Maybe. Lots of DHS doublespeak to follow...

https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs

[mattkime]

Would they accept the passport or simply declare it a clever fake?

[deckeda]

I think if you have to show someone ID, your rights were already likely infringed in the preceding minutes. In town, out of town, I don't see the difference.

[JoeH]

Unfortunately I have to agree with the carry side.

If she does not already have the passport card, it might be a good idea to get oe and have that be the one she carries normally. Keep the regular passport safe for trips out of the country where it is required, or of use in a worst case scenario by you to get her out of their custody.

[hal]

It's not about protecting rights at this point - it's about avoiding being dragged off to a cell.

They now have a passport 'card' that you can fit in your wallet.

[graylocks]

JoeH wrote:
Unfortunately I have to agree with the carry side.

If she does not already have the passport card, it might be a good idea to get oe and have that be the one she carries normally. Keep the regular passport safe for trips out of the country where it is required, or of use in a worst case scenario by you to get her out of their custody.

I agree especially about getting a passport card to carry instead.

[Dennis S]

I would carry a passport. I would also have everything ready to order a new one overnight or ASAP in case something happens to it. I would have the proper lawyer(s) and senators on speed dial. You can protest all you want, but this is something you don't take chances with.

[Blankity Blank]

Maybe “just” minutes of inconvenience with the ID, without it, in this nightmare environment, there is no way to tell how far things could spin out of control. Why risk it? You have to pick your battlegrounds carefully.

[Speedy]

Go with a photocopy. ICE can look up the electronic original and probably would even if she presented her physical passport.

My wife is from Mexico and she carries only her driver’s license and would tell ICE to FO. However, we do not live within the pink strip (100 miles from any frontier.) If we were together when accosted, I think I, out of her earshot, would turn her in as a possible illegal just to watch the fireworks. :popcorn: