I wonder whether we should carry a copy of our birth certificate, or passport, or Green Card on our persons

[question everything]

all the time. Copies. Originals can be snatched from our hands.

Two many stories about American citizens being detained. Even one hour is too long.

Also, this morning when I read on LBN that Alaska Senator Murkowski commented that they are all afraid I honestly thought that she was physically afraid.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143442238

After all, we do remember that on Jan 6 many were physically afraid.

[RockRaven]

1. A bit of a presumption that having those documents would make a difference

with TCF's brownshirts. They don't give a shit.

[iemanja]

2. A real ID should count the same

but as the other poster said, documents may not matter. I expect skin color matters more than anything.

[Ms. Toad]

5. Unfortunately, most real IDs do not prove citizenship.

Only 5 states provide Enhanced Drivers Licenses which prove both identity and citizenship: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. The remainder of Real IDs only prove identity.

[iemanja]

7. I'm in MN

But I didn't realize that. They say we have until May 7 to get a real ID if we want to fly. I assumed the requirements were nationwide. I have to bring not only my birth certificate but also something official with my social security number + a load of other stuff.

[Ms. Toad]

9. I didn't realize it until about a week ago,

when I was researching the SAVE act. I assumed a real ID would satisfy the requirement, because I thought it proved citizenship - and discovered that it is only the Enhanced Driver's license that does that (It's basically a Real ID + citizenship.

The deadline for the Real ID for travel is nationwide, and all of that junk you had to bring applies nationwide - including tracing your name from your birth certificate to your current name. (I got mine before the first "you have to have it by" date passed.) It doesn't, except in a handful of states, prove citizenship, since a Real ID can be issued regardless of citizenship, but an Enhanced Driver's license is only issued to citizens.

[Mariana]

11. A real ID is proof of identity.

It is not intended to prove citizenship or legal residency.

[Ms. Toad]

3. If I were brown, I would just as a matter of self-protection.

Because, unfortunately, being brown in our country - especially being brown with a Spanish/south american accent means being at risk for being treated as an undocumented immigrant. And proving citizenship at the point of arrest **might** provide some protection.

I have mixed feelings about carrying citizenship documents myself. On the one hand, I am not likely to be mistaken for anything other than a US citizen - which as a position of tremendous privilege (so maybe I should carry documentation because it is a privilege not to have any need to). On the other hand, if I am somehow detained that same privilege gives me an ability to fight with fewer risks - and I would love to be able to put that privilege to good use in support of challenging this cruel, isolationist, administration that treats anyone other than cis white US-born men as suspect.

[IzzaNuDay]

4. I'm carrying my passport card now.

probably won’t mean a thing because my complexion doesn’t offer protection…

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

6. I always have my passport card with me.

I often have my passport with me.

My thinking is that you never know when you might need to leave the country. And I've felt that way for decades.

[Bluethroughu]

8. Yes, it's show me your papers state right now.

Do not let them hold it, you hold it tightly.

[Hassler]

10. The less you look like Pete Kegbreath

Or Karoline the lying softball player, The more you should be concerned l.

[Mariana]

12. My husband is a naturalized citizen.

We’re getting him a passport card to carry. I’m getting one too. In the meantime he’s been carrying his regular book passport.