A Protest Over Bus and Train Citizenship Checks

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Answer my questions first!

Your experience of the US is clearly as limited as my experience in Oz, yet I can still call bull$hit on your constant whinnying about "infrastructure" (though I admit it could improve in this country - just like it could in yours).

I next await for your explanation of water shortages in OZ and falling housing prices and how your government's solution is a model the US should follow.

[Ron/Sharon 0]

All I can say is I am glad we don't live near a border. None of that ####### to worry about.

To see the states in 1974 I travelled by bus from Ottawa, Ontario to Mexico City without any problem but the return trip was different because I was asked to provide identification at ever stop between Dallas and Buffalo to the point that half way through the trip my passort was always on the table or at least visible, I don't remember being asked any questions at all perhaps because the passport was Canadian as was the Federal Government Identification I provided. So I don't think living away from the borders saves anyone from the sting, it can happen anywhere any time.

[eau_xplain 2]

This is actually one of my biggest concerns once we naturalize. Right now we have our green card to show to anyone who asks about our immigration status. I guess when we become USCs we'll have to carry our passports around for that.

The article was really pointing out that it's the US citizens who may have a problem proving they are who they say they are, not LPR's. What I didn't understand was what do they do if you claim to be a legal citizen but don't have proof, do they arrest you anyway? That's what is wrong with this programme, not that there is something wrong with trying to find illegal aliens, but that there is no way to do so without infringing the civil liberties of those who are legal citizens who don't want to/can't carry around proof of citizenship.

I realise that some of you think this is something that people should want to do, but I don't and agree with Alex that the money spent on such an exercise is pretty much a wasted. I can't see the results in terms of illegal aliens found this way, versus the expense and ill will generated adding up. Focus on the job angle and leave people to move around the country freely.

Edited April 3, 2008 by eau_xplain

[Heracles 417]

I next await for your explanation of water shortages in OZ and falling housing prices and how your government's solution is a model the US should follow.

The average house price in Sydney is over $500K. Even when interest rates are at 9.37%.

[nane1104 146]

This is actually one of my biggest concerns once we naturalize. Right now we have our green card to show to anyone who asks about our immigration status. I guess when we become USCs we'll have to carry our passports around for that.

The article was really pointing out that it's the US citizens who may have a problem proving they are who they say they are, not LPR's. What I didn't understand was what do they do if you claim to be a legal citizen but don't have proof, do they arrest you anyway? That's what is wrong with this programme, not that there is something wrong with trying to find illegal aliens, but that there is no way to do so without infringing the civil liberties of those who are legal citizens who don't want to/can't carry around proof of citizenship.

I realise that some of you think this is something that people should want to do, but I don't and agree with Alex that the money spent on such an exercise is pretty much a wasted. I can't see the results in terms of illegal aliens found this way, versus the expense and ill will generated adding up. Focus on the job angle and leave people to move around the country freely.

How do natural born USC proof their status?

I am still voting for a federal ID for everyone legally residing in the US that shows the current status, whether that is USC, naturalized USC, LPR, pendingLPR.

Would prevent a lot of headache.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I next await for your explanation of water shortages in OZ and falling housing prices and how your government's solution is a model the US should follow.

The average house price in Sydney is over $500K. Even when interest rates are at 9.37%.

I am not going to continue to highjack this thread - but there is a housing bubble in Oz too, headed south. All your boasting about it's constant lack of problems compared to the US is disengenuous and you know it. Some of the same problems we have here, some of them even worse.

[Heracles 417]

How do natural born USC proof their status?

I am still voting for a federal ID for everyone legally residing in the US that shows the current status, whether that is USC, naturalized USC, LPR, pendingLPR.

Would prevent a lot of headache.

Everyone's drivers license should indicate whether they are a citizen or not. Then again you have states who are still stalling on the current national drivers license rules and "need more time" to implement them.

Edited April 3, 2008 by Boo-Yah!

[Peikko 1,575]

This is actually one of my biggest concerns once we naturalize. Right now we have our green card to show to anyone who asks about our immigration status. I guess when we become USCs we'll have to carry our passports around for that.

The article was really pointing out that it's the US citizens who may have a problem proving they are who they say they are, not LPR's. What I didn't understand was what do they do if you claim to be a legal citizen but don't have proof, do they arrest you anyway? That's what is wrong with this programme, not that there is something wrong with trying to find illegal aliens, but that there is no way to do so without infringing the civil liberties of those who are legal citizens who don't want to/can't carry around proof of citizenship.

I realise that some of you think this is something that people should want to do, but I don't and agree with Alex that the money spent on such an exercise is pretty much a wasted. I can't see the results in terms of illegal aliens found this way, versus the expense and ill will generated adding up. Focus on the job angle and leave people to move around the country freely.

How do natural born USC proof their status?

I am still voting for a federal ID for everyone legally residing in the US that shows the current status, whether that is USC, naturalized USC, LPR, pendingLPR.

Would prevent a lot of headache.

Why in a free and democratic country should anyone be required to prove legal status? If you are going about your day to day business without breaking the law you should not have to prove anything to anyone.

[Heracles 417]

Why in a free and democratic country should anyone be required to prove legal status? If you are going about your day to day business without breaking the law you should not have to prove anything to anyone.

It is not a matter of being required to prove it on a whim, unless you are arrested or fined. Anyone who is using any sort of service here should be required to do so.

[Peikko 1,575]

I guess if that ever happens I will be spending a lot of time messing around in jail because I refuse to carry proof of my existence

But...guess what? That will not happen because law enforcement are never going to look at me and go "I bet that's an illegal alien, let's pick her up".

Yes it is on a whim. If you are traveling on a bus or a train, yes you should be required to prove you have a ticket to travel but not your legal status.

[Heracles 417]

I guess if that ever happens I will be spending a lot of time messing around in jail because I refuse to carry proof of my existence

But...guess what? That will not happen because law enforcement are never going to look at me and go "I bet that's an illegal alien, let's pick her up".

Of course. Law enforcement agencies do not just go around looking for illegal immigrants. Now federal immigration agents should have the right to do so.

Resident aliens are required to carry their ID at all times anyway..

Edited April 3, 2008 by Boo-Yah!

[Peikko 1,575]

Guess what? I don't and I don't have any intention of so doing.

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

All I can say is I am glad we don't live near a border. None of that ####### to worry about.

Well, I live in the border, good 10 mins away from Mexico. The wierdest thing of all is that I've never been questioned about my immigration status but when I'm crossing the border and driving west or east through the check points located a couple of miles away from the border. Even when I've flown I just show my Texas ID and I'm good to go. There are some border patrol agents in the airport that could question anybody but as soon as they hear me speak in english they discard me hehe.

The reason why they dont check for ID's is because bordertowns have a greatest percentage of hispanic population than mostly the rest of the US. Here in Hell Paso, there is an 80 percentish hispanic population. I'm not sure about Laredo, McAllen, San Diego and so forth but i guess is kind of the same. I'm sure the border patrol won't be stopping every single hispanic looking person they see in the street here since they'd have to stop nearly everybody!

And just a quick reply to the person than said it's because of the MEXICANS, my dear, illegal immigrants come from a wide variety of countries, doesnt matter is they come by boat, crossing the river or by plane. This kind of comments seems just ignorant to me. I'm not supporting illegal immigration because of one sole reason, because I blame the Mexican Government for their situation. These people are not supposed to be here, since our country is supposed to supply enough jobs and take care of our people.

Edited April 3, 2008 by GueraYTavo

[Ban Hammer 13,355]

I don't know of any US citizen who routinely carries proof of citizenship.

i do. to have a cch license one must prove they are a usc first.

[mawilson 2,133]

I don't know of any US citizen who routinely carries proof of citizenship.

i do. to have a cch license one must prove they are a usc first.

Well ok, so you prove it once and get a cch license. Why do you need to keep carrying proof of citizenship?

The license itself is not enough?