Tennessee cancels driver’s license of Navy veteran saying he isn’t a US citizen
www.independent.co.uk
As the nation celebrates Independence Day on July 4, David O’Connor is locked in a battle with the state DMV, which says he cannot prove he is a US citizen
  • mangosloth@lemmy.world
    55·
    4 months ago

    I’m a run of the mill American citizen, 4 generations back my family has been American. No birth weirdness or dual citizenship or anything. Decided to live overseas after uni to broaden my horizons, and last time I came back home for the holidays I was grilled on my americanness by customs… They almost didn’t let me in because they thought I was suspicious, and my passport didn’t seem right. They even said “how can you be American if you’re a resident of (country)?” I think I got the same line as this article too, the whole no way to prove I’m American (despite my passport being in their hands). Theres a gatekeeping mentality that I suspect is rampant in all levels of government, and I just wonder how many good people who deserve to be here are barred from a normal life in the US because of it

    • 100@fedia.io
      21·
      4 months ago

      the customs there have insane powers to deny and fuck over pretty much anyone without oversight or culpability

      if your name looks even slightly middle eastern or have a passport from the wrong country then you will randomly get denied entry if the agent feels that way that day

    • grue@lemmy.worldEnglish
      16·
      4 months ago

      I just wonder how many good people who deserve to be here are barred from a normal life in the US because of it

      Well, about 1.8 million and a few generations worth of descendants is a good lower bound.

    • catloaf@lemm.eeEnglish
      84·
      4 months ago

      Yes, but the article says this was for a REAL ID, which is a federal program to enhance state IDs. If the guy has a passport, that’s perfectly valid proof of citizenship, and he can just bring that to the DMV. Or, he should have a certificate or report of US birth abroad. If he doesn’t have any of those, he can request a certificate of citizenship.

      Or he could just get a regular driver’s license without the REAL ID. Those aren’t going away any time soon and are perfectly valid for driving, no citizenship required.

      • stoly@lemmy.world
        121·
        4 months ago

        Real ID isn’t the issue here. This is either an idiot or an asshole making someone’s life difficult just because.

  • Forester@yiffit.net
    18·
    4 months ago

    If I remember correctly, you only need to serve one a year in the military to become a naturalized citizen…