Why You Should Ask White People if They're Carrying Proof of Citizenship

Recently I've been asking everyone I know if they are carrying proof of citizenship.“Of course,” they say, “I have a driver's license.”“Ah,” I reply, “that is a legal document, but you don't have to be a citizen to get one. In fact, a driver's license doesn't even prove that you have permission to be here. All it shows is that you had permission at the time the driver's license was issued—presuming you didn't fake the required documents.” I usually laugh when I say that last part. Some of the people laugh with me, others tighten up.It's interesting how irritated white people get when you suggest they might be guilty of wrongdoing.It gets worse.“Well,” they say, “I have a social security card.”I snort at that one. “Are you kidding me? Again, you don't need to be a US citizen to get a social security card. Also, a social security card is really easy to fake.”Usually about now, they start to get annoyed. That's when I interrupt and say, “I know right? It's harder to prove citizenship than you thought!” That’s not what they were angry about, but they’re willing to pretend that it was. I continue, “Isn't it interesting how so few people know about how difficult it is to prove citizenship? I mean, you'd think it'd be something we'd discuss.”“Well, what does prove citizenship then?”“There are a couple documents. You could produce a passport, a birth certificate, or a naturalization document. As for me, I carry a passport card. You can get one for an additional fee when you get your passport renewed.”At this point I produce the passport card and show it to the person I'm talking to. They generally look at it and give me an uncomfortable nod.“How much does that cost?”“It's around $50,” I say as I tuck the card back into my wallet. “That way if somebody comes up to me and demands proof of citizenship, I can show them this government issued document. I mean, they could still claim the document is fake, but it's better than nothing, right?”The interesting part about this conversation is that about now the person you’re talking with has started to feel really uncomfortable, though they’re not willing to recognize why. All they know is they’re possessed by a disquieting sense that the other shoe is about to drop.They’re right.“Why would anyone ask me if I’m a US citizen?” they ask.“Are you kidding me right now?”They give you a blank look.“Haven't you heard the news? Haven't you been paying attention to what's going on? The government just authorized 170 billion dollars to immigration enforcement over the next 4 years. It's a massive increase. ICE is hiring at an unprecedented rate. People are being detained all over the country.”“Well... yeah,” they say, their voice trailing off into confusion.“Aren't you afraid that one of these masked border agents might approach you and demand to see some documents? Considering the resources that have been allocated to this objective, hasn't that become a lot more likely? I mean, as big an issue as immigration has been over the last few years, isn't it a little odd that you never thought of having to prove your own citizenship before?”Silence.“Why do you think you’re protected from being asked if you’re here legally?”“Don't be absurd, I speak English!” is usually the response I get at this point.“Lots of places speak English,” I say. “That's hardly proof. You could be from England, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Australia… In fact, there are many countries all over the world that teach their citizens how to speak English. There are many kids that speak English better than the majority of natural born US citizens. What else you got?”“Well, look at me,” they say. “I look American.”“You mean you're white?”“No, I didn't say that.”“But immigrants can be white, now can't they? Immigrants can come from all over the world.”“Yeah but...” they’re really running out of steam here. They might be starting to twitch.I press on. “But this administration is only targeting immigrants from South America. Is that what you wanted to say? You know that this administration only targets people that look a certain way? Is that fair? Does that seem okay?”You’re likely to be facing silent anger now. Perhaps even loud anger. But don’t quit. Follow up with this. “Do you believe that white people shouldn’t have to prove their citizenship?”“I didn’t say that.”“But you’re not carrying proof of citizenship are you?”This is when they’ll try to hit you with the great deflection.“Look, it’s not about racism. Why do people like you keep trying to say that? It’s about border security. It’s about detaining criminals. It’s about apprehending threats who aren’t here legally and who are cheating the system.”“But only the ones who aren’t white, right? I mean, there are a lot of people who overstay their visas who are white. They look just like you. Some of them talk like you. Shouldn’t you be under the same burden of proof as anyone else? For all I know, you might be some kind of terrorist.”“I’m not!”“Then prove it! I mean, if it’s about border security, you should have to follow the laws too. But your actions suggest you’re confident that nobody is ever going to come for you.”“I'm a US citizen.”“Prove it.”“I can't.”I shrug. “Well, I hope that nobody who claims to be law enforcement demands that you show proof, because you don't have it. The other side of this is that many of the men claiming to be federal agents refuse to identify themselves too. But maybe you'll get lucky.”Then I flash my passport card, shrug, and say, “The truth is, citizenship is no protection if you live in a lawless state.”That’s called planting a seed.Also, an immigration directive that only targets people of a certain race is racism. There’s no other word for it.You all make this newsletter happen! Thanks for your sponsorship! I have payment tiers starting at as little as twenty dollars a year.Upgrade at 30% offUpgrade at 40% offUpgrade at 50% offUpgrade at 60% offI'm so happy you're here, and I'm looking forward to sharing more thoughts with you tomorrow.My CoSchedule referral linkHere’s my referral link to my preferred headline analyzer tool. If you sign up through this, it’s another way to support this newsletter (thank you).I'd Rather Be Writing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to I'd Rather Be Writing at walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe