On MLK day...

And I'm glad to know the answer.

Still, my point being that humans have certain responsibilites in life.  Possessing a DL, or a hunting license if you go deer hunting, is a responsibility.  Sounds like one can get in worse trouble for not having a license to go deer hunting than not having a license to drive a 4000 lb (or ton?) vehicle on public roads should you have a wreck and dill somebody, but I digress.

But were I an immigrant, in this time of trouble, I'd be sure to dot all i's and cross all t's; drive carefully, not break the speed limit; obey all traffic 'rules', use my turn signal (because any slight infraction they can use as part of their 'case' to pull you over and dig deeper).  No dui driving.  No acting a fool in any way.  Stick to the letter of ever law even though enforcement might not be so strict regarding others, 'cause its the way it is right now.

Candy

Candy, you're conflating not having your physical driver's license in your possession with not having a license at all (and driving in each case). The former is a minor infraction,; the latter is a fairly serious misdemeanor. If charged with the latter, you have the opportunity to prove that you were only guilty of the former.

Got it, Kevin.  Thanks.

I guess my major point is about the personal responsibility of each individual desiring to live and prosper in the US to conform to laws and regulations at the risk of peril if not, for whatever reason.

         Perfectly said.

Right. But the corollary is that no one is obliged to obey an unlawful command. Being stopped for Existing While Brown is unlawful. Not having citizenship papers on one's person is not unlawful.

The cognizance of the law you refer to becomes moot when people are accosted by law enforcement for doing nothing wrong.

I agree with you that it would be a wise move for immigrants to carry their documents with them at this time. 

Please consider that if the government can walk up to anyone without reasonable suspicion and demand proof of immigration status how do agents know who to approach? 

What if a multi-generation citizen has a heavy Sweedish accent. Should they carry their passport? 

Should all citizens be expected to carry proof of citizenship at all times?  

If you are asked today to show proof of citizenship do you have it on you? 

You see now we are in a position of having government agents suspect people of crime simply because of how they look or sound. 

My mom has her Green Card with her at all times when she travels anywhere.  She treats it just like her driver's license,  insurance and registration. 

Do you carry a passport or other proof of citizenship? 

I have my passport card with me sometimes but not always.

Yes I carry what is required to be identified.  I don't know of a proof of citizenship document for natural born citizens. 

But, yes, were I in an immigrant status, and not living under a rock, i.e. aware of what is happening, yes I would carry what proof I had, and be glad to produce it to law enforcement.

That government agents are approaching anyone who 'looks' suspicious to them something I have no immediate control over.   All I have to go on, like most here, is what I read in newspapers and see on TV.  I can only surmise abuses of power are going on which I abhor the thought of.

I think we are all going in circles in these discussions, yet mostly we aren't personally attacking our fellow posters which is great.  We are bringing out individual understanding of things, exchanging information and ideas, though they may conflict.

We can all mourn the deficiencies in our very generous system of government and law enforcement that excuses criminal behavior and allows really really bad people go free.  IMHO that is one of the prices we are paying, apparently, in order to have that generosity and the freedoms that most of us pretty much enjoy.  An imperfect system with imperfect people in charge, so to speak.

Candy

I never do, unless I'm traveling overseas or on a cruise.  My mom doesn't take her passport with her around California.