Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
68 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Kristi Noem said you should keep proof of citizenship on your person at all time (Original Post) DemocratSinceBirth Jan 15 OP
Danke, Frau Gnome. Nt spooky3 Jan 15 #1
Does she? bluestarone Jan 15 #2
Even MAGAts? LakeVermilion Jan 15 #64
Does she or any of her ICE thugs do that? dalton99a Jan 15 #3
Nope Rebl2 Jan 15 #17
Your papers, comrade. Show me your papers!! nt Tadpole Raisin Jan 15 #4
Die papers please kwolf68 Jan 15 #5
Real ID drivers' licenses are supposed to be proof of citizenship Ritabert Jan 15 #6
In most states, they are not. Ms. Toad Jan 15 #13
It's funny too cause in AZ I went to MVD for REAL and to the PO to file for my passport on the same day AZJonnie Jan 15 #16
Yup. Ms. Toad Jan 15 #18
Would've been convenient if there were 2 tiers of REAL ID then AZJonnie Jan 15 #21
There are two tiers, Ms. Toad Jan 15 #22
Right, I should've said "available in Arizona" then (n/t) AZJonnie Jan 15 #23
This message was self-deleted by its author Volaris Jan 15 #46
Interesting idea. Ms. Toad Jan 15 #48
Show me your papers schnell! Jersey Devil Jan 15 #7
My LA-born Puerto Rican wife has carried here for years MurrayDelph Jan 15 #39
I 'll show them my 1956 Willie Mays baseball card Jersey Devil Jan 15 #42
I also carry home-printed business cards MurrayDelph Jan 15 #56
I do, since last year after delving a bit into Project 2025. Totally Tunsie Jan 15 #57
That doesn't work as hundreds of American citizens can now attest Arazi Jan 15 #8
Precisely. Now reportedly going door to door B.See Jan 15 #25
Link? Can't find anything on it SSJVegeta Jan 15 #9
"Kristi Noem Says People Should Be Prepared to Prove US Citizenship" DemocratSinceBirth Jan 15 #12
Thank you!! SSJVegeta Jan 15 #14
CNN chyron this a.m.: "SECY. NOEM: AMERICANS MAY BE ASKED TO "VALIDATE THEIR IDENTITY". Totally Tunsie Jan 15 #59
Did She Now? MineralMan Jan 15 #10
Read a couple reports of citizens offering their REAL IDs to ICE men and those thugs laughed, said 'could be fake' Attilatheblond Jan 15 #33
Well, what's really scary is the idea that they might take your ID MineralMan Jan 15 #49
In addition to having everything, also take phone photos and e-mail same to yourself Totally Tunsie Jan 15 #61
Oh, they're all scanned, too. MineralMan Jan 15 #62
EXACTLY! Since they now think they can kill with impunity, what's a little theft to them? Attilatheblond Jan 15 #63
Race is just one factor, of course. MineralMan Jan 15 #68
Papers, papers surfered Jan 15 #11
I don't even know what that means. milestogo Jan 15 #15
When do I have to learn German? sinkingfeeling Jan 15 #19
Thought that was the purpose of the "real ID" driver licenses. But now she dismisses allegorical oracle Jan 15 #20
NEXT: Noem introduces Noem-approved DHS card for citizens to carry to prevent arrest dalton99a Jan 15 #26
Will mine have some sort of symbol on it to show Luz Jan 15 #50
Pinko commie Blue Full Moon Jan 15 #24
Dimwit maga 'dont tread on me" flag wavers : "if it keeps Klarkashton Jan 15 #27
Kristi...Kristi...Kristi... LuckyCharms Jan 15 #28
Short Answer: FUCK YOU! Lochloosa Jan 15 #29
To what end? Thugs just looking to hurt people won't accept proof, as how recent history has proven. Attilatheblond Jan 15 #30
Kiss my ass Irish_Dem Jan 15 #31
"Your papers please..." VMA131Marine Jan 15 #32
Uh, no EnergizedLib Jan 15 #34
No JustAnotherGen Jan 15 #35
Is she looking for the NY Post? Draft card? Library card? dem4decades Jan 15 #36
I always carry my US Passport just so I know where it is FakeNoose Jan 15 #37
And I say Kristi Noem needs an extremely long prison sentence. Initech Jan 15 #38
+1 dalton99a Jan 15 #51
What if Traildogbob Jan 15 #40
And Kristi should keep the thought of going to prison in the back of her mind as we will take back power. nt Hotler Jan 15 #41
Used to be a free country, i remember lostnfound Jan 15 #43
Funny, when I was bicycling, I only carried my Insurance card. Zackzzzz Jan 15 #44
I was thinking about so many people who lost everything in natural disasters. Getting duplicated papers Deuxcents Jan 15 #67
Whatever happened to the Bill of Rights? Kid Berwyn Jan 15 #45
Shut down the government until Noem resigns Johonny Jan 15 #47
When I studied in Europe, decades ago, RockCreek Jan 15 #52
Papers please exboyfil Jan 15 #53
Aren't these the folks who decried the use of a national ID card as "communism"? sop Jan 15 #54
I don't have a passport, Bayard Jan 15 #55
Remember when that dimwit lost her purse? Klarkashton Jan 15 #58
Anyone still not convinced that "we're there..." yet? EarthFirst Jan 15 #60
Got your proof swinging, botox zombie orangecrush Jan 15 #65
I carry my passport card in my wallet at all times. Jedi Guy Jan 15 #66

Ritabert

(2,139 posts)
6. Real ID drivers' licenses are supposed to be proof of citizenship
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 10:45 AM
Jan 15

...but ICE agents are just saying "That's fake."

Ms. Toad

(38,399 posts)
13. In most states, they are not.
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 11:09 AM
Jan 15

In a handful of states (MI, MN, NY, VT, and WA) they are proof of citizenship, but in most they only prove identity.

AZJonnie

(3,185 posts)
16. It's funny too cause in AZ I went to MVD for REAL and to the PO to file for my passport on the same day
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 11:18 AM
Jan 15

And the REAL ID application had all the same + more paperwork requirements vs what getting my passport did.

Ms. Toad

(38,399 posts)
18. Yup.
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 11:29 AM
Jan 15

A US birth certificate proves citizenship - but many non-citizens (with foreign birth certificates) are entitled to get RealIDs, so presenting a birth certificate to get a RealID doesn't prove the RealID was issued to a citizen.

AZJonnie

(3,185 posts)
21. Would've been convenient if there were 2 tiers of REAL ID then
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 11:37 AM
Jan 15

Given that the State had all of the same evidence of my citizenship as the Feds did + more, seems like they were in a position to confirm it. Would certainly be more convenient to have my DL have some kind of 'this is a US citizen' marking vs. having to have a separate thing to carry around that does. Esp. given that the state already has to confirm citizenship during the voter registration process (or at least, that's what I think happens, maybe not).

Response to Ms. Toad (Reply #13)

Ms. Toad

(38,399 posts)
48. Interesting idea.
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:43 PM
Jan 15

I guess I'm not inclined to cooperate with "show me your papers"

I realize I'm speaking from a place of privilege - I'm not likely to be stopped by ICE. But also from that place of privilege, it feels better to refuse to comply even though I can, to prove a point.

Jersey Devil

(10,782 posts)
7. Show me your papers schnell!
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 10:46 AM
Jan 15

Who the hell carries around their birth certificate and passport (if they even have one)? And what law requires it?

MurrayDelph

(5,731 posts)
39. My LA-born Puerto Rican wife has carried here for years
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:23 PM
Jan 15

Ever since Arizona's Papers Please law.

For the last few years I've been carrying mine, too, even though I'm an obese, elderly LA-born Eastern European Jew.

Jersey Devil

(10,782 posts)
42. I 'll show them my 1956 Willie Mays baseball card
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:31 PM
Jan 15

There is no requirement that citizens carry proof of citizenship and never has been. I am 79 years old and I am not going to start now!

MurrayDelph

(5,731 posts)
56. I also carry home-printed business cards
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 01:05 PM
Jan 15

That have the Fourth Amendment printed on one side and the Fifth on the other.

Totally Tunsie

(11,669 posts)
57. I do, since last year after delving a bit into Project 2025.
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 01:06 PM
Jan 15

Already had my RealID, but renewed my expired passport and also ordered the passport card to carry in my wallet.
Also ordered a short-form certified Birth Certificate from my hometown City Clerk's office and carry that too. Friends and acquaintances laughed and poo-pooed me when I'd say that we would reach the days of "Show us your papers". Well, we are now there.

BTW, I'm white and American born, but with trump in office, I was taking no chances and getting prepared. Believe him when he says he's "only joking" and watch and listen carefully to those who surround him.

I WILL resist, but I remember my Girl Scout motto: "Be prepared."


Arazi

(8,772 posts)
8. That doesn't work as hundreds of American citizens can now attest
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 10:47 AM
Jan 15

ICE doesn’t give a shit if you’re a US citizen. They’re grabbing anyone now

B.See

(8,004 posts)
25. Precisely. Now reportedly going door to door
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:06 PM
Jan 15

In Minneapolis, looking for ANYONE they see as 'OTHER.' Like the Nazi GESTAPO goons they ARE.

Proof positive that if you're a member of ANY group being DEMONIZED and DISENFRANCHISED, yet voted to empower these fascist fuks, you need your...

well... let's just say you need to reevaluate the choices you've made.

ICE agents going door to door in Minnesota asking where Asian neighbors live: report - Rawstory via MSN

MineralMan

(150,847 posts)
10. Did She Now?
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 10:56 AM
Jan 15

Well, I carry ID with me all the time, but not proof of citizenship. I don't carry my passport around or a copy of my birth certificate. I speak American English very well, though. There is no possible reasonable evidence that I am not a citizen. So, I do not have to present my ID to anyone. I will, of course, show it to a police officer if requested, because I have no reason not to. I am not, however, required to do so without probable cause to believe I have broken a law.

Stop by Ms. Noem. Tell me to show you my ID. I will not do so to you. Nope.

Attilatheblond

(8,508 posts)
33. Read a couple reports of citizens offering their REAL IDs to ICE men and those thugs laughed, said 'could be fake'
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:13 PM
Jan 15

So just what can people carry on their person that won't be disregarded by lawless thugs who need to rack up their arrest numbers so they get more $$?

MineralMan

(150,847 posts)
49. Well, what's really scary is the idea that they might take your ID
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:44 PM
Jan 15

and shred it, then throw you in detention. What would you do then?

If you're white, speak English with an American accent, and have your ID, they're going to let you go. If you're not, all bets are off. They could easily destroy your ID and you'd have no recourse, really.

That's the real danger for a lot of people, really. And, they're shipping people off to detention centers and not telling anyone where you are. So...

For me, I have every driver's license and passport I've ever been issued. My wife knows where they are. I have a chain of identification that also includes my old military ID, and original birth certificate and SS card. I also have an official birth certificate from my county of birth that was reissued and has the embossed seal. If they "lose" my current ID, it's pretty easy for me to produce other documents.

There are tons of people, though, who can't do that and who might not be US Citizens at first glance. They are the ones who are in the most danger, frankly.

Totally Tunsie

(11,669 posts)
61. In addition to having everything, also take phone photos and e-mail same to yourself
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 01:17 PM
Jan 15

so it's also on your computer. That gives you a more permanent record at your fingertips.

MineralMan

(150,847 posts)
62. Oh, they're all scanned, too.
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 01:21 PM
Jan 15

Stored on a couple of USB thumb drives that are hidden. Another copy of the USB drive is stored at my attorney's office. Scanning produces better quality overall.

Attilatheblond

(8,508 posts)
63. EXACTLY! Since they now think they can kill with impunity, what's a little theft to them?
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 01:37 PM
Jan 15

Not so sure about being white as insurance against being abused. Women in general seem at risk. As a long-time white female, I do not feel safe anymore. I know what untreated, misogynistic abusers look like and now they have a green light from an abusive, misogynistic POTUS and his mob.

MineralMan

(150,847 posts)
68. Race is just one factor, of course.
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 02:15 PM
Jan 15

I'm sure you're right that many of those guys are misogynists. Incels, too. What happened to Renee Good also had to do with her attitude. Big tough guy didn't like her off-handed "I'm not mad at you, dude." So he killed her. What he said after that gives it all away.

Here's the thing: Those ICE thugs are ALL bullies. Some are meaner bullies than most people ever encounter. They're armed with deadly weapons. If you want to participate in protests where they might show up, keep your personal safety in mind at all times. Do not taunt them at close range. If you can, stay inside a crowd, rather than being at the front of the crowd. Don't challenge them as individuals. They have been shown that they can be brutal or even deadly with impunity.

I've been around for a very long time, and have a good deal of experience with street protests. This situation right now is beyond dangerous, and is not getting better. It's the nastiest bunch of "authority figures" I've ever seen. Never forget that the situation can become deadly in a split second. Don't provoke bullies with guns. It's never a good idea.

I'll stop right there. Take very, very good care!

allegorical oracle

(6,323 posts)
20. Thought that was the purpose of the "real ID" driver licenses. But now she dismisses
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 11:31 AM
Jan 15

those, too. Had to submit everything but blood to get one of those licenses.

dalton99a

(92,808 posts)
26. NEXT: Noem introduces Noem-approved DHS card for citizens to carry to prevent arrest
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:07 PM
Jan 15

Card includes location history and stored social media passwords for access by DHS

Luz

(916 posts)
50. Will mine have some sort of symbol on it to show
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:51 PM
Jan 15

that I am a democrat? Maybe a scarlet letter "d", or a star of some sort?

Klarkashton

(5,024 posts)
27. Dimwit maga 'dont tread on me" flag wavers : "if it keeps
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:09 PM
Jan 15

Me safer I'm all for it! I've done nothing wrong yuk yuk yuk"

LuckyCharms

(22,146 posts)
28. Kristi...Kristi...Kristi...
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:10 PM
Jan 15

Do you know what I carry on me at all times?

Whatever the fuck I want to.

That's how it is here in the good old USA.

Not what some botoxed puppy murderer tells me to carry.

Attilatheblond

(8,508 posts)
30. To what end? Thugs just looking to hurt people won't accept proof, as how recent history has proven.
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:10 PM
Jan 15

Why would be carry around a portfolio of documents for them to disregard or destroy? They are out of control, laws don't matter to them and they are gonna do whatever they want.

Noem is just looking for reasons to let them off the hook for the laws they break.

VMA131Marine

(5,190 posts)
32. "Your papers please..."
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:12 PM
Jan 15

I’m pretty sure SCOTUS has made clear there is no requirement to carry ID on your person at all times because law enforcement needs probable cause of a crime to stop you.

JustAnotherGen

(37,770 posts)
35. No
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:15 PM
Jan 15

I won't.

And if anyone is reading this from New Jersey?

Call Andy Kim today and DEMAND he explain why he voted for *the word I'm not allowed to write at DU* and what he intends to do to bring her to heel.

FakeNoose

(40,669 posts)
37. I always carry my US Passport just so I know where it is
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:20 PM
Jan 15

It's not because I think I'm going to be arrested, it's because I'm in the habit of carrying it.
Kristi Noem can go to hell, but that's beside the point.

Traildogbob

(12,713 posts)
40. What if
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:27 PM
Jan 15

We just wear a Red MAGA hat and instead of saying I am an American citizen, just say I am a trump humper. Plus keep your guns in the passenger seat, wear a flag on your lapel and an AR 15 pin.
Just don’t wear a “Good Pin”, Bill Maher may shit his panties.
“Your Flagged Lapel” ain’t getting ya to heaven anymore.

Hotler

(13,746 posts)
41. And Kristi should keep the thought of going to prison in the back of her mind as we will take back power. nt
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:27 PM
Jan 15

lostnfound

(17,436 posts)
43. Used to be a free country, i remember
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:31 PM
Jan 15

the more methods they have for tracking us, the more they want.
Missing the days of riding around town on May bike with no ID, no phone, no surveillance. Just free.,

Zackzzzz

(310 posts)
44. Funny, when I was bicycling, I only carried my Insurance card.
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:33 PM
Jan 15

I had a friend who said she couldn't get her birth ctf because
all vital statistics were destroyed when the building burnt down.

Deuxcents

(25,974 posts)
67. I was thinking about so many people who lost everything in natural disasters. Getting duplicated papers
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 02:08 PM
Jan 15

Takes forever and in some cases, the original was the only copy. I carry my driver’s license and insurance card with me for emergency purposes. My original birth certificate had typo errors and I had to go before a judge with an attorney and every bit of information I could find to get it straightened out and that judgment is in my safe with my Will and other documents. I’m not about to carry it around. The reports are out there that agents have confiscated papers and they’re never returned or what happened to them.

Kid Berwyn

(23,625 posts)
45. Whatever happened to the Bill of Rights?
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:34 PM
Jan 15

You know, the...

Fourth Amendment

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Johonny

(25,744 posts)
47. Shut down the government until Noem resigns
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:42 PM
Jan 15

That is the democrats only move. She should not work for the federal government. She doesn't respect Americans.

RockCreek

(1,430 posts)
52. When I studied in Europe, decades ago,
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 12:55 PM
Jan 15

I was shocked at the expectation that one would carry ID at all times. I was a guest in another country, but it was very different than what I was used to in the US.
I have carried my passport with me in the US since January, 2025.

Bayard

(28,980 posts)
55. I don't have a passport,
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 01:01 PM
Jan 15

Never needed one.

If I could find my birth certificate, neither the first, or last name, would match my driver's license or anything else. I'm sure most women's last name will have been changed when they were married.

Heil trump.

Jedi Guy

(3,445 posts)
66. I carry my passport card in my wallet at all times.
Thu Jan 15, 2026, 02:06 PM
Jan 15

But then again, I'm a US citizen living as a permanent resident in Canada so it's an apples to oranges comparison, isn't it?

What's next? Checkpoints at state borders and travelers have to provide their papers to justify crossing state lines? During the Cold War, Soviet defectors were astounded that US citizens could freely travel wherever they wanted. How things change...

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Kristi Noem said you shou...