After Oath - What Next ?
- Thread starter dnbev1
- Start date
spiderman03
Registered Users (C)
It would be better to apply for passport card also. Some county police these days are checking the immigration status when pulled over for any reason. Keeping it in the wallet is a good idea. That's what I intend to do if and when I become a citizen. We cannot just carry passport book everywhere.
spiderman03
Registered Users (C)
OCI is lifetime and doesn't need any police registration after a certain period where as PIO card has a valid date (it can be renewed though) and needs police registration after 6 months of stay. Need to check the police registration part. Also, one can apply for Indian citizenship after 5 yrs. on OCI, not with PIO. So with a USA passport and OCI card in hand, travel between USA and India is pretty much hassel free from immigration.
You must be seriously paranoid if you intend to carry the proof of the US citizenship with you everywhere. Inside the country - even within 160 km from the border - you can simply say "I am a US citizen", and it should be enough for any law enforcement agent. The only county police that vigorously enforces the immigration laws is Maricopa county sheriff department just because it is headed by a lunatic Joe Arpaio.
Of course, it is up to you whether to carry documents all the time, but keep in mind that some native-born US citizens don't even have any proof of their citizenship at all. When they need to prove their citizenship, they simply request their birth certificates from the issuing agency. How do they get around on a daily basis?
However, I understand your fears because in my native country, I had to carry internal passport all the time. I just overcame my old habits.Try telling that to a Hispanic looking person with basic English skills, or a Muslim with a think English accent.
Claiming to be a US citizen should be enough, but law enforcement still has the right to detain you if they suspect your status to be otherwise. Racial profiling is a reality, whether you are a citizen or not. For an extra $20, a passport card can provide the added security to those who need it.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/27/MNGQ17C8GC.DTL
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/25392.html
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/105397/ice%27d:_another_u.s._citizen_detained_and_deported_for_looking_mexican/
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What you said is true but there is no risk carrying passport card.
Unlike green card which is a hassle to replace if lost, passport card can be easily re-obtained and even if it is lost, you have passport book as back up.
So it is very good practice to carry passport card
Triple Citizen
Registered Users (C)
You confident people who get them would actually carry them? 80% of GC holders on this forum are scared to carry their GCs on their person, which mind you is exactly what the law demands. I doubt these people will all of a sudden overcome their paranoias and start carrying their passport cards 
You confident people who get them would actually carry them? 80% of GC holders on this forum are scared to carry their GCs on their person, which mind you is exactly what the law demands. I doubt these people will all of a sudden overcome their paranoias and start carrying their passport cards
The reason for not carrying the GC is simple: if lost, it takes time to replace and can hinder your travel plans. Some people rather keep it under lock and key than in their wallet (which can be easily lost or stolen).
Now for a passport card, it's a different story..you would obtain it as a backup to prove your citizenship. If you loose your passport card, you still have a passport as a backup, so there's less hesitancy to carry a passport card in your wallet.
Triple Citizen
Registered Users (C)
It is a mental block in my opinion. I would love to be proven wrong, but I still have my doubts with regards to your optimism
It is a mental block in my opinion. I would love to be proven wrong, but I still have my doubts with regards to your optimism
I guess you never lost or had your wallet stolen which carried your GC, or heard of any horror stories of what some had to endure to get a new GC.
Triple Citizen
Registered Users (C)
I have been mugged twice in broad daylight in Pakistan. Once with an AK-47 pointing at my face . Those two incidents didn't inttill a fear when I migrated and had to carry my GC on me. I have heard horror stories about people trying to replace lost/stolen GCs. There is always a downside to things.
Going by that fear, passports are stolen at airports. So should one not travel internationally with a passport?
Bottom line is, in my opinion, people are over-protective of their GCs.
. Those two incidents didn't inttill a fear when I migrated and had to carry my GC on me. I have heard horror stories about people trying to replace lost/stolen GCs. There is always a downside to things.Going by that fear, passports are stolen at airports. So should one not travel internationally with a passport?
Bottom line is, in my opinion, people are over-protective of their GCs.
You have no choice but to carry a passport at airport if you want to travel..it's an enforced law. Carrying a GC is required by law, but not enforced since they give you the opportunity to produce your GC within a reasonable amount of time if your status comes into question.Going by that fear, passports are stolen at airports. So should one not travel internationally with a passport?
In the end, everyone handles risks differently..some choose to be overly protected , whereas others put things into perspective according to what they have faced in past (being mugged with AK-47 pointed at face).
Triple Citizen
Registered Users (C)
Al Southner
Registered Users (C)
Guys,
I have never had to carry my GC on me at all, except when I travel overseas which is required. Also, if I am stopped by a police officer (rare I must admit), requesting my immigration status will be clearly outside his scope of jurisdiction, because that is a federal terrain and off-limits.
I would be glad to let him know that he should keep his nose on state laws, because engaging in a costly litigation won't help the state treasury, because they are already bleeding for money, plus any federal court is going to rule in my favor. I am amazed at some rightwing people who harbors deep hatred for immigrants, who want state police to enforce immigration laws, but when the federal govt want to enforce certain policies like requiring health care for all, they start screaming state rights? which one it is?
Oh... I have never been robbed with an AK-47 pointing at my face, but I did sleep at Motel 6 last night...
I have never had to carry my GC on me at all, except when I travel overseas which is required. Also, if I am stopped by a police officer (rare I must admit), requesting my immigration status will be clearly outside his scope of jurisdiction, because that is a federal terrain and off-limits.
I would be glad to let him know that he should keep his nose on state laws, because engaging in a costly litigation won't help the state treasury, because they are already bleeding for money, plus any federal court is going to rule in my favor. I am amazed at some rightwing people who harbors deep hatred for immigrants, who want state police to enforce immigration laws, but when the federal govt want to enforce certain policies like requiring health care for all, they start screaming state rights? which one it is? Oh... I have never been robbed with an AK-47 pointing at my face, but I did sleep at Motel 6 last night...
I would bet a lot of money that a person will not be required to present the proof of US citizenship by any law enforcement agent out of the blue. Sure, there is a 0.0000001% chance that it could happen, but I don't think it is worth even $20 replacing the lost passport card.
It is my belief that the only reason people want to carry passport cards with them all the time is because of the past fears acquired from their native countries. What if they are stopped by a polizei asking for papers? Irrational fears, nothing else. Some people may be so proud to be new citizens of this country that they need a proof in their pocket, not for anyone else but for themselves. Anyway, both are two extremes that don't justify the possibility of loosing a document.
It is my belief that the only reason people want to carry passport cards with them all the time is because of the past fears acquired from their native countries. What if they are stopped by a polizei asking for papers? Irrational fears, nothing else. Some people may be so proud to be new citizens of this country that they need a proof in their pocket, not for anyone else but for themselves. Anyway, both are two extremes that don't justify the possibility of loosing a document.