I JUST realized that when you go in to renew or replace state ID/DL they punch a hole in it kinda deeming it "invalidated" and I need to present a valid state ID to apply for my passport application tomorrow

[OldUser 9,910]

6 minutes ago, mam521 said:

If you don't drive, then why would you?  Especially if you have to do to DPS/DMV to get that piece of ID?  The cost of vehicle insurance is prohibitively expensive for a lot of people, so they don't bother because they'll never drive.  Heck...the number of people operating vehicles with no license and no insurance around these parts is what's driven up insurance rates to ridiculousness.  

 

The only reason Kid1 drives is because Texas doesn't believe in comprehensive public transit, so said child has no choice.  She MUCH prefers to be a Passenger Princess because it's bloody scary driving in the Houston metro area.  

State ID is an option for non-drivers.

 

How would one be confirming their age, identity for various reasons? Flashing foreign passport at supermarket? I think it's way too impractical to carry passport plus if it's lost, the cost of replacement is a lot higher than getting another state ID. Same goes for GC. It's too valuable to lose plus creates immediate reaction from employers and anybody you're showing it to... E.g. they instantly think "foreigner". Many Americans are not familiar with US passports, let alone foreign passports or GCs.

 

IMHO getting at least a state ID is a responsible and practical thing to do. I got my first state ID on temporary work visa. Took a bus to DMV.

Edited 23 hours ago by OldUser

[mam521 2,509]

7 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Same goes for GC.

Yet, if you read the fine print, you are legally required to carry it at all times.  

 

I didn't say a state ID wasn't an option for non-drivers.  It is.  

 

12 minutes ago, OldUser said:

IMHO getting at least a state ID is a responsible and practical thing to do. I got my first state ID on temporary work visa. Took a bus to DMV.

As you stated, it's your opinion.  There's approximately 29 million voting aged Americans don't have a state ID.  They may want that ID, but it's impractical for whatever reason. 

 

That's nice that you were able to take a bus.  Here, your only option is an Uber or a Lyft.  Not even a taxi.  

[OldUser 9,910]

1 minute ago, mam521 said:

Yet, if you read the fine print, you are legally required to carry it at all times.  

This is true, I never advocated for not carrying GC. Subjectively, using it (taking out of wallet, handing over to other people) increases chances of losing it. I carried GC but never got it out of my pocket.

 

Lyft / Uber is a one time expense, most IDs are valid for 5+ years.

 

Of course, one can live without ID, and many do. But then people run into issues with passports expiring, other IDs getting lost.

 

Even many USCIS officers expect to see ID / DL with US address on it.

 

I think going to DMV once in 5 years is a small sacrifice leading to more convenience every day.

 

But again, these are just opinions, and there is no right or wrong.

[Fr8dog 407]

2 hours ago, mam521 said:

It doesn't say specifically that a foreign passport cannot be used for proving identity.  It lists accepted documents and states, in the fine print, further documentation may be necessary.  The fine print doesn't specify what does, or does not qualify.  It's pedantic in the same way you mention a post office employee can't ask, but the DoS can.  

 

I do find a lot of policy to be small minded and based on the assumption that everyone has a DL or state ID in the US.  

 

I wish I would have gone the certified copy route because the Post Office defaced my naturalization certificate by stapling it when I applied for the kids' US passports.  Apparently the PO staff are told NOT to staple it but you know...unless you have to pay to replace a certificate, you don't truly appreciate what you're doing when doing it incorrectly 🙄.

 

That said, certified copies for certain things are definitely advantageous.  I had certified copies of my kids' Canadian passports so I could get them ITIN's years back when we came on my L visa.  There was no way I was sending their passports, the only piece of ID with their proof of status, away for an indeterminate amount of time for the ITIN's to be generated.  

 

I cannot find a foreign passport in any list so of accepted documents so that's why I would accept them rejecting it.

They do have options for people with out DL/ST-ID (it gets pretty interesting in the secondary list. Yearbook pic???)

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/identification.html

 

A problem people run into when they apply at the post office (or other third party) is that the person behind the counter flat out refuses to accept documents that are on the DOS list of approved documents. So yes the USPS can ask a lot of things, but they are not there for that. They are only there to accept the application take the fee and forward it to the DOS. If anything is wrong or unclear it's the DOS job to ask for further info.

 

Personally I'm getting annoyed by desk staff who not only are wrong in their assumption but need to be pleaded with (not polity asked) to look at their own manuals of what is and is not allowed. DMV staff not knowing to accept certain NOA's, SSO not knowing to accept I-551 stamps, Banks, USPS, HR etc, etc. And If I have the time and energy for it I will take on that fight every single time.

[OldUser 9,910]

9 minutes ago, Fr8dog said:

Personally I'm getting annoyed by desk staff who not only are wrong in their assumption but need to be pleaded with (not polity asked) to look at their own manuals of what is and is not allowed. DMV staff not knowing to accept certain NOA's, SSO not knowing to accept I-551 stamps, Banks, USPS, HR etc, etc. And If I have the time and energy for it I will take on that fight every single time.

Airlines too, who take responsibility of enforcing immigration laws when they're supposed to just provide transportation... The list goes on 😅

[mam521 2,509]

19 hours ago, Fr8dog said:

Personally I'm getting annoyed by desk staff who not only are wrong in their assumption but need to be pleaded with (not polity asked) to look at their own manuals of what is and is not allowed. DMV staff not knowing to accept certain NOA's, SSO not knowing to accept I-551 stamps, Banks, USPS, HR etc, etc. And If I have the time and energy for it I will take on that fight every single time.

Oh my gosh...this grinds my gears so badly!  I suspect the reason in TX DPS does SAVE verification is to save asking questions because it's easier to train and that's it.  I had an SSA agent try to tell me I couldn't use my kids' passports with endorsed MRIV's to get their SSN's when it's right on the instructions for the application as evidence of immigration status!  And HR - I'm fighting, despite quoting policy, to have my greencard removed from my HR profile because it's no longer a valid document since I have citizenship and have done an I-9 update WITH my US passport.  Considering how challenging it's been in addition to some other incompetence issues, I don't put it past them trying to use it for something.  

[Fr8dog 407]

S.A.V.E. (or what ever it is called these days) Is the actual problem here. State agencies are required to use it and the system requires a different code for every document you can use. Most staff have a cheat sheet they use to find the correct code for the most used documents. It's when you show up with a different document that the problems start. They try the cheat sheet codes, they don't work and tell you what you have is not allowed. Or look at the sheet, don't see your document and the same answer. They have an official manual with all approved documents and their corresponding codes. Most just don't realize that,  a bunch of them don't want to look it up and a few will get flat out hostile for even suggesting it.

 

the I-9, e-verify  is the same basic problem combined with pure ignorance of the laws by those who were hired to do make sure they do things by the book.