Immigration documents

[Samir Mehra]

Was recently stopped by Border Patrol while travelling in New Hamsphire.
He asked for Immigraion Papers, Passport, etc.
We generally don\'t carry our passports + immigration documents with us at all times. Me and my wife have H1B\'s and live in MA.
My question is "Do we need to have our Passports and Immigration docs with us at all times even while travelling within the US?"
The Border Patrol officer mentioned failure to have these docs, can lead to $100.00 fine and/or 3 days in prison + risk of deportation.

 

[John Spencer]

No Title

That\'s an interesting question.

I believe that we are required to carry proof of status at all times. In my case, at present, that\'s a passport with a stamp. However, I don\'t think that US citizens need to carry their passports, so it doesn\'t seem particularly fair (but then, what is fair about INS regulations)

However, in California, at least, it is illegal (document abuse, it\'s called) for the police to ask to see your immigration documents. I don\'t know if border patrol may, but I don\'t see many of those people.

It is a funny old world, isn\'t it.