Picked up at airport

[Thompson2 1]

I'm getting second hand information, but trying to help a friend of a friend.

This guy came over a few months ago on a visitor and medical visa that is good for 6 months. He gets married while here and files to adjust staus. He is still waiting to get his green card

Today he was trying to fly from Orlando to Miami using only his Jamaican drivers license and was stopped by TSA. They pulled him aside and eventually arrested him. I'm not sure for what. He is saying he doesn't know.

I'm surprised that TSA would stop you when you did have a license that matched your ID. Has anyone else ever heard of anything like this? I know there may be more to the story that I don't know, but does TSA have name lists or what would cause them to stop him for using a foreign license, which my husband has used many times without any question.

[Boiler 45,360]

Why did he not show his passport? He is required to have it with him.

[sus 70]

Not sure why they stopped him - but a GC holder is required to carry their GC at all times - the fact that he only showed his JA license, and not any proof that he had a valid right to be here in the US, they probably arrested him as being illegal and put him in deportation - sounds like there is definitely more to the story thank you got.

I don't think TSA has name lists - it could have been random -

[TRELAWNY PARISH 10]

Brook wah gwaaane...something no mek sense.

My husband was able to travel with his JA license throughout the US/airports and had no problems. He was never asked for his passport. I know they say to keep your greencard with you at all time but my husband does not and he's traveled throughout the US without it as well. Only time he has it with him is when he goes home, CND or UK. Dont' want him to lose it and it's so damn expensive to replace. I didn't even know TSA could arrest you for not having proper ID -- don't they check that at the counter...mi no know im naw tell u sumting...maybe he's been in the system before. Another thing -- he's here on a visitor's visa, he should not fly anywhere without his passport and other documentation. I hope he will not have to go before an IJ because of his AOS because he's going to have to prove that was not his intent to come here and get married. Let me know how it goes.

[Black Velvet 4]

TSA requires that passengers have a valid government issued identification. Since your friend was traveling within the US, a valid driver's license should have been sufficient. Apparently, he has an outstanding warrant. One should carry green card only for employment or traveling purposes. If a green card is lost, it is hell to get a replacement. I believe that there's more to the story than she is willing to share.

[Boiler 45,360]

He does not have a Green Card.

[ryna 132]

OK, this has nothing to do with the original topic, per se but...

I have heard that LPRs are required to carry the GC with them at all times but as others have mentioned, it is very expensive if it is lost. This got me to thinking... Isn't a newly issued RealID-compliant driver's license/state ID sufficient now to prove legal presence in the US? After all they won't issue it with an expiration date past your GC/visa/etc. and you need to jump through more hoops than ever to prove your identity before you can get one.

[sus 70]

He does not have a Green Card.

And that is helpful how? If you are responding to my post, you might notice I was posting at 5:30 am, so forgive me if I wasn't 100% accurate or coherent.

Regardless of what his status, he should have been carrying SOMETHING to prove that he had status here in the US - Look at the new law passed in Arizona that makes it a CRIME not to carry immigration documents - it also gives the police broader powers to detain anyone suspected of being in the country illegally.

While I think there are other circumstances involved here that no one knows - The bottom line to it is that whatever he was stopped for or why - showing his Jamaican driver's license does nothing to prove that he has a right to being in the US legally - and he was in Florida, which is an area known for illegal entry, look at all the refugee boat landings.

OK, this has nothing to do with the original topic, per se but...

I have heard that LPRs are required to carry the GC with them at all times but as others have mentioned, it is very expensive if it is lost. This got me to thinking... Isn't a newly issued RealID-compliant driver's license/state ID sufficient now to prove legal presence in the US? After all they won't issue it with an expiration date past your GC/visa/etc. and you need to jump through more hoops than ever to prove your identity before you can get one.

While I agree with your thinking, ryna - I know many illegal immigrants who have valid drivers licenses

[Boiler 45,360]

It is a Federal requirement to carry your GC.

So unless the Feds change the law it stays.

It is still possible to get DL's when you have no status, plus the process is no way a secure.

[TRELAWNY PARISH 10]

It is a Federal requirement to carry your GC.

So unless the Feds change the law it stays.

It is still possible to get DL's when you have no status, plus the process is no way a secure.

Not sure how it goes in your state, but check out the Real ID Act

[Boiler 45,360]

And that is helpful how? If you are responding to my post, you might notice I was posting at 5:30 am, so forgive me if I wasn't 100% accurate or coherent.

Regardless of what his status, he should have been carrying SOMETHING to prove that he had status here in the US - Look at the new law passed in Arizona that makes it a CRIME not to carry immigration documents - it also gives the police broader powers to detain anyone suspected of being in the country illegally.

While I think there are other circumstances involved here that no one knows - The bottom line to it is that whatever he was stopped for or why - showing his Jamaican driver's license does nothing to prove that he has a right to being in the US legally - and he was in Florida, which is an area known for illegal entry, look at all the refugee boat landings.

While I agree with your thinking, ryna - I know many illegal immigrants who have valid drivers licenses

If you look at my first post I said that he should have been carrying his passport.

A legal requirement.

[Thompson2 1]

Thanks everyone for your input! I'm still trying to get more information. So on a visitor visa you are required to carry your passport at all times? I'm just curious because when my husband travels in the U.S he just shows his Jamaican license at TSA and they don't ask any questions.

If I find out more I'll report back. Thanks!

[sus 70]

Brooke, I have friends that were stopped (the old DWB scenario) and asked for their Green Card - I would say better safe than sorry.

[Thompson2 1]

OK thanks Sus! Hubby does keep it in his wallet, but I'm scared to ask how much the replacement fee is. I just hear everyone describe it as expensive. There should be an option where they can just get an official tattoo and never have to worry about keeping track of their green card. J/K kind of..lol

[VanessaTony 3,567]

OK thanks Sus! Hubby does keep it in his wallet, but I'm scared to ask how much the replacement fee is. I just hear everyone describe it as expensive. There should be an option where they can just get an official tattoo and never have to worry about keeping track of their green card. J/K kind of..lol

Here's the form to replace it. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=b3f7ab0a43b5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD The cost is currently: $290 + $80 biometrics (I say currently because fees are set to increase shortly)

As far as I'm concerned, given the amount of money we pay to GET it, it's ridiculous :S I did read one person who carries an exact photocopy of it around with them. I haven't looked into the legality of it (whether like here in aus you have 24 hrs to show your ID to a copper if pulled over) but it sounds like a good idea to me!

Edited October 21, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony