ICE/CBP immigration checks?

[Barciur 1]

Hello all,

I've heard all of the stories about ICE or CBP conducting immigration checks onboard AMTRAK trains or Greyhound buses. That's one thing I never quite understood, so maybe somebody here will help me get things straight.

A US citizen is not required to have an ID proving that he is a citizen. If I have a driver's license, I'm good to go to travel in the country. So if an ICE officer asks me if I'm a US citizen, I just say yes and there is really nothing to be done about this, is there?

How are all of the people getting caught? If I were here illegally, how would anybody know? I'm just not understanding on what basis are those officers catching people, but perhaps more importantly, what happens if they insist that a US citizen is not and need to provide proof? Is there a database that they can access which would tell them anything about this?

I assume that as a LPR, they probably might have access to that so making a claim of being a US citizen would be really bad. But if somebody is here illegally and there is no trace of them, couldn't they just technically say "yes I am a US citizen" and present a valid drivers' license and be on their way?

Edited February 24, 2015 by Barciur

[Hypnos 6,576]

Because when someone comes around flashing a badge, the average person thinks they are obligated to answer their questions (you are not).

One addendum would be that if you falsely assert that you are a US citizen then that can be a lifetime bar from the US for which there is no waiver available. Never, ever, under any circumstances, claim to be a US citizen if you are not actually a US citizen.

[Boiler 43,429]

What has a drivers license to do with your nationality?

[NikLR 13,220]

Lets not play with the TOS? It's illegal to claim to be a US citizen when you are not one, but yes, you can just submit your driver's license should you choose. However you are supposed to carry your green card with you at all times as well.

[TBoneTX 43,057]

Helpful guidelines herein:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqMjMPlXzdA

[VOL 425]

I wish they would come up to Dallas and search for Illegals. I guess that would be too easy..........

[ExPatty 502]

I think many of these stories are just that; stories, myths.

If you are already in the US proper and not a border crossing and you are not driving you can refuse to show ID so if you do that they are likely to send you in your way instead of arresting you for a non-offense.

Whether citizenship is noted on licenses now in the background or not (not sure) I presume it certainly could be in the future. Lying about being a citizen is a lie you do not want to be caught in ever. Certainly preferable to say you are an alien of some kind without your documentation on you than try and bluff being a citizen.