Green Card as ID to Purchase Liquor

[Ling Ling 22]

*Not sure if this is the right forum...mods feel free to move as appropriate*

Has anyone (of legal age) been refused the sale of liquor, when using a Legal Permanent Resident ID as proof of age?

[JeremyR 8]

I've done it and I wasn't refused - it's government issued ID and has your date of birth on it so the cashier shouldn't have a problem. They see weird, wonderful and varied forms of ID all the time (out of state IDs, military, etc, etc, etc) so if they kick up a fuss, ask them to get the manager.

The only potential problem is that the birth date can be hard to read because of the position and colour of the DHS seal behind the text (this is even worse on EADs). If they really can't read the date, they technically can't accept it but again, you could always ask them to get their manager or someone with better eyesight

You could always use your GC & SSN to go and get a driver's license or non-driver ID card though, it's a lot easier to just flash something they've seen a hundred times already that day.

[TracyTN 237]

I'm sure different states require different forms of ID - but I'd be surprised if a GC wasn't one of them. Could just be an ignoramus at the store in question...!

[Ling Ling 22]

Thanks for the responses. YES, there are complete idiots in Illinois. I'd like to think that my wife appears 20 years of age (and I'm sure she'd love to think that as well) but that's just not the case. Not only was the manager on duty (Jewel Food Stores) consulted, but also the asst manager of Osco (weird situation...stores combined, but Osco holds the liquor license). I mean, it says it's issued by the Department of Homeland Security (a federal government agency), her picture and date of birth are clearly visible. BUT...it appears that in some states, the liquor licensee is allowed to designate which IDs they will accept. This appears completely contrary to law. I checked the Illinois Liquor Act, and it states that "Adequate written evidence of age and identity of the person, is a document issued by a federal, state, county, or municipal government..."

I haven't found anything in the statute that states a licensee in Illinois can refuse an ID.

Yeah, DL or State ID are on the to-do list...and since I was there, I made the purchase...but the point is that it's a legal government issued ID (that's a lot more difficult to get than a State ID). It's on their primary ID/Auth to work list (fed form I-9) as a primary ID, but they won't accept it for liquor/tobacco sales? That's stupid and contrary. It's idiotic to accept an ID for employability but not for sales.

[JeremyR 8]

Store policy, perhaps? They presumably hid behind the right to refuse service for any reason.

I wonder, was a passport on the 'acceptable ID' list???

[daboyz 36]

I've wondered about this. I initially told my wife not to carry her green card. It's $340 or something like that to replace it. I figured her Texas state ID card would be fine for anything. Then I read somewhere that it is required for her to have her green card to prove residency in case asked by ICE. Not really sure what is true.

Sorry for the semi-hijacking of the thread.

[Old Dominion 26]

I'm sure it was the store's mistake or perhaps store policy. No one is "required" to sell you anything.

[JeremyR 8]

I've wondered about this. I initially told my wife not to carry her green card. It's $340 or something like that to replace it. I figured her Texas state ID card would be fine for anything. Then I read somewhere that it is required for her to have her green card to prove residency in case asked by ICE. Not really sure what is true.

Going off topic but given that you're in Texas, with it's inland CBP checkpoints, it would certainly be advisable to carry it. Incidentally, not being able to show it on demand is (I think) a misdemeanor carrying a $500 fine (more than the cost of replacing a lost one ). Moreover, if it was a CBP or ICE agent who asked for it and she didn't have it, the consequences may not bear thinking about it. Carrying the green card or not is a personal choice of course, but if I were in certain parts of Texas, I probably wouldn't even go into the front yard without it...

[Minya's wife 24]

I'd be writing a letter to the corporate headquarters. It is a federal government issued ID, which the federal government wants to be used as a means of ID...it is up to each business/store that requires age verification to do business to be appraised and accept such as identification.

[Minya's wife 24]

I've wondered about this. I initially told my wife not to carry her green card. It's $340 or something like that to replace it. I figured her Texas state ID card would be fine for anything. Then I read somewhere that it is required for her to have her green card to prove residency in case asked by ICE. Not really sure what is true.

Sorry for the semi-hijacking of the thread.

But if she has a license, like my husband, which is valid just like my license, for 5 years, why would ICE need more as proof of residency? I mean if I was asked for proof of residency what the heck would I use...I only have a license and an SS card?

[Ling Ling 22]

I'm sure it was the store's mistake or perhaps store policy. No one is "required" to sell you anything.

If you have nothing to add to this topic, please keep moving...the intent of this forum is to HELP.

It's not about anyone being "required" to sell anything. However, they are required to abide by local, state and federal laws. The issue at hand is about a lack of consistency in practice, whereas they recognize an LPR card in one instance (for employment verfication), and not another (sales), as well as instituting (and enforcing) a corporate guideline that is not in keeping with the current legal statute.

[TBoneTX 45,266]

OP, you make some good points, and the other posters have been trying to help you think "out loud." The validity (or lack thereof) of the various opinions can direct your future research, or lead you to conclude that legal consultation is reasonable (for redress or for clarification of policy), or to another action.

I read somewhere that it is required for her to have her green card to prove residency in case asked by ICE.

given that you're in Texas, with it's inland CBP checkpoints, it would certainly be advisable to carry it. ... if I were in certain parts of Texas, I probably wouldn't even go into the front yard without it.

Si, man.

[TracyTN 237]

I've wondered about this. I initially told my wife not to carry her green card. It's $340 or something like that to replace it. I figured her Texas state ID card would be fine for anything. Then I read somewhere that it is required for her to have her green card to prove residency in case asked by ICE. Not really sure what is true.

Sorry for the semi-hijacking of the thread.

But if she has a license, like my husband, which is valid just like my license, for 5 years, why would ICE need more as proof of residency? I mean if I was asked for proof of residency what the heck would I use...I only have a license and an SS card?

Because ICE are ICE, LOL.

I really never get the discord on this one. USCIS states that you must carry your GC with you at all times, and not doing so is a misdemeanor (I believe that part is in the 'welcome to America' pamphlet they send you with your GC). It's not as if you'd get thrown in the slammer for it, but it's one of the rules that they have, and one I think is perfectly reasonable.

[^KK^ 3]

I've wondered about this. I initially told my wife not to carry her green card. It's $340 or something like that to replace it. I figured her Texas state ID card would be fine for anything. Then I read somewhere that it is required for her to have her green card to prove residency in case asked by ICE. Not really sure what is true.

Sorry for the semi-hijacking of the thread.

It says that you must carry your green card with you at all times on the letter that it came with.

Most people don't just for the simple fact that it cost a lot of money to replace.

[Old Dominion 26]

I'm sure it was the store's mistake or perhaps store policy. No one is "required" to sell you anything.

If you have nothing to add to this topic, please keep moving...the intent of this forum is to HELP.

It's not about anyone being "required" to sell anything. However, they are required to abide by local, state and federal laws. The issue at hand is about a lack of consistency in practice, whereas they recognize an LPR card in one instance (for employment verfication), and not another (sales), as well as instituting (and enforcing) a corporate guideline that is not in keeping with the current legal statute.

The matter is all about attitude adjustment. The store violated no laws. Inconsistency in the private sector is part of the American culture. You have no legitimate complaint here.