What documents do I need to carry to prove my legal status?
It depends on your status. Green card holders are technically required by federal law to carry their card. Undocumented individuals are not required to carry any federal documentation, and have the right to remain silent about their status.
Depends on your status. Green card holders are supposed to carry the card. Undocumented? Nothing to carry, and you don't have to talk about your status.
Federal immigration law imposes specific requirements about carrying documentation, and the rules differ significantly based on your status.
Lawful permanent residents (green card holders). 8 U.S.C. § 1304(e) requires that you carry your permanent resident card ("green card") with you at all times. Failure to do so is technically a misdemeanor, though enforcement varies considerably.
Non-immigrant visa holders (student visas, work visas, tourist visas). You should carry your I-94 arrival/departure record and your passport with the visa stamp.
DACA recipients. You should carry your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and any related documentation showing your current status.
Undocumented individuals. There is no federal documentation for you to carry because none exists. You are not required to answer questions about your immigration status. You have the right to remain silent.
If ICE comes to your door: You do not have to open the door for immigration officers without a judicial warrant signed by a judge. An administrative warrant issued by ICE (Form I-200) is not the same and does not give them the legal authority to enter your home. Ask them to slide the warrant under the door and check whether it is signed by a judge.
State considerations for PA and NJ. State ID requirements vary. Driving without a valid driver's license is a separate legal issue regardless of your immigration status. New Jersey allows undocumented individuals to obtain a standard driver's license; Pennsylvania does not. If you are stopped by police for any reason, be aware that PA and NJ have different policies on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Your rights in any interaction: you can remain silent, you can decline to sign anything without an attorney present, and you can ask if you are free to leave. If you are detained, ask to speak with an immigration attorney.
Depends on your status. Here is the breakdown.
Green card holder. Federal law says you have to carry your card at all times. Not doing so is technically a misdemeanor, though most people ignore this and enforcement is spotty.
Visa holder (student, work, tourist). Carry your I-94 and your passport with the visa.
DACA. Carry your work permit.
Undocumented. No federal ID exists for you to carry. And you do not have to answer questions about your status. You have the right to remain silent.
If ICE comes to your door: they cannot enter without a warrant signed by a judge. An "administrative warrant" (Form I-200) is NOT the same thing and does not give them permission to come in. Ask them to slide the warrant under the door. Look at the top. If it says something other than a judge signed it, they cannot enter.
PA vs NJ. Driving without a license is a separate legal problem no matter your status. New Jersey lets undocumented people get a regular driver's license. Pennsylvania does not. The two states also have different policies on whether local police cooperate with ICE.
Rights in any interaction with law enforcement: stay silent if you want to. Don't sign anything without a lawyer. Ask "am I free to leave?" If you get detained, ask for an immigration attorney.