Kristi Noem’s “Commander-at-Large” says US citizens need to carry proof of citizenship
Immigration rights lawyer Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council highlighted a disturbing report this week involving a U.S. citizen in Minnesota who says he was detained by ICE agents simply for “looking Somali.” According to the man, he repeatedly offered to show his digital passport ID, but the agents allegedly refused to verify his citizenship.
Reichlin-Melnick shared on social media: “WOW. Mr. Mubashir told local news that DHS officers outright refused to check his REAL ID to verify his legal status, and instead handcuffed him and dragged him to the local ICE processing office to fingerprint him and run him through their systems.”
Cato Institute director of immigration studies David J. Bier responded: “Citizenship used to mean something.”
Border Patrol agent Gregory Bovino, who holds the title “Commander-at-large” from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and was recently ordered by a judge to report on the agency’s use of force and tear gas in Chicago, pushed back, writing: “One must carry immigration documents as per the INA. A Real ID is not an immigration document.”
Bovino faced immediate criticism online, as U.S. citizens are not required to carry proof of citizenship. Multiple immigration lawyers pointed out the inaccuracy, including Charles Kuck, who commented, “Hard to be this bold about being wrong. Congrats.”
Former Republican Congressman Justin Amash (R-MI) added: “U.S. citizens are not required to carry immigration documents. It’s hard to know which is greater here: the level of corruption or incompetence.”
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