Sheriff asked for my passport

[Cathi 5,784]

13 hours ago, Honeythunder said:

He asked for my driver's license at first and I said I don't have any coz I just migrated here. So he asked for my passport.

Well that's a different story, you left this part out originally.

I assumed, like most others, that the officer asked you for your passport out of the blue.

Edited October 9, 2020 by Cathi

[HRQX 4,145]

7 hours ago, Sarah_k92 said:

He always tells me to carry mine because you just never know.

It's also federal law; INA 264(e): "Personal possession of registration or receipt card; penalties. Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him pursuant to subsection (d). Any alien who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed $100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both."

6 hours ago, bobjennyhitched said:

I heard that it's a $1000 if they catch you without your Green Card so I religiously carry it

Who said $1k?

 

"shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed $100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both."

[AlaMike 231]

Although the officer had no real reason to ask for ID from the passenger. It is done quite often.

Maybe since the passenger had no ID (drivers lic or otherwise) and was of foreign decent; the officer was making sure she wasn't a human traffic victim. 

Without an explanation from the officer on his actions, one can only speculate as to why or what is thoughts were. 

(By the way.... former Police Officer here)

[Harryhdl 2]

This is really scary, we have expired Green Cards with bulky I797s granting an 18 month extension for our I829 applications, which we never carry on us for fear of misplacing. 

 

I guess I am going to make digital copies to have on our phones in case we ever have the same experience as you. 

Edited October 11, 2020 by Harryhdl

[Sarah_k92 113]

1 hour ago, Harryhdl said:

This is really scary, we have expired Green Cards with bulky I797s granting an 18 month extension for our I829 applications, which we never carry on us for fear of misplacing. 

 

I guess I am going to make digital copies to have on our phones in case we ever have the same experience as you. 

I feel the same. I now carry mine in a plastic wallet neatly wrapped up. Buts it’s crazy!! 

[jim_julian 26]

We are strong supporters of legal immigration.  Hopefully you can factor this into your thinking.  It's a good thing to have law enforcement check your status.  Stay strong and happy to welcome you to America.

[Harryhdl 2]

2 hours ago, Sarah_k92 said:

I feel the same. I now carry mine in a plastic wallet neatly wrapped up. Buts it’s crazy!! 

Thank you, we have every reason to be wary at present. 

[bobjennyhitched 99]

On 10/9/2020 at 12:08 PM, HRQX said:

It's also federal law; INA 264(e): "Personal possession of registration or receipt card; penalties. Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him pursuant to subsection (d). Any alien who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed $100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both."

Who said $1k?

 

"shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed $100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both."

Ha well that's cheaper than expected

[James D 39]

Also, make sure your car or vehicle is road worthy and do not violate any traffic laws. Don't give the police a reason to stop you. The police did not stop you because you are an immigrant. he stopped you as he would anyone else for a burned out license plate light. That gave him the right to check your identities. If the light was working properly he would not have the right to stop you or check your identities.

[Orangesapples 1,954]

31 minutes ago, James D said:

Also, make sure your car or vehicle is road worthy and do not violate any traffic laws. Don't give the police a reason to stop you. The police did not stop you because you are an immigrant. he stopped you as he would anyone else for a burned out license plate light. That gave him the right to check your identities. If the light was working properly he would not have the right to stop you or check your identities.

The cop still doesn't have the right to check the passenger's identity as explained above. 

[James D 39]

On 10/8/2020 at 12:06 PM, Honeythunder said:

We were driving home last night and got pulled over by a sheriff for a burned-out license plate light. He asked my husband (the driver) for his license and then he asked me (the passenger) for my license. I said I don't have one yet.

 

He asked for my passport and luckily I have it with me. He went back to his vehicle and ran a check. He came back and asked if I have a greencard. I said I don't have one yet because it is still processing. I showed him the text notification I got from USCIS that they received my case. Luckily he let us go. My husband still thinks it's weird that a sheriff would ask the passenger's identification for something like a burned-out light.

 

From now on I will have a copy of my NOA1 in the car. I can't imagine what would have happened if we got pulled over during the time when I don't have the USCIS notif yet. I might have been detained to prove legal status? 

 

Different states have different "stop and Identify" laws. Some are vague and some are explicit. Know the laws in your state. If you have committed no crime and are not about to, even a traffic violation, why not cooperate?  Treat the law with respect and most likely you will be treated with respect. Many officers have been shot at and killed at a simple traffic stop, so expect them to be suspicious and a little nervous. Cooperate and be on your way as soon as possible.

 

Here is more information.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_and_identify_statutes