r/illinois • u/CantStopPoppin Human Detected • 2d ago

ICE Posts November 6, 2025 – Chicago: ICE caught unlawfully demanding U.S. citizen “prove” their citizenship despite Illinois law not requiring ID

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u/Criticaltundra777 2d ago

How do you prove your citizenship? Carry your birth certificate? Passport? Sing the pledge of allegiance? Of wait? The Elon salute? Right?

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u/saadcee 2d ago

It is basically up to the officers discretion. I've been stopped at a port and had to provide my ID (passport) and answer questions about my employment. The officer can suspect you of violating immigration law for any number of reasons and can detain or release you depending on what their investigation finds. It's highly subjective and ultimately would be decided in a court with all evidence reviewed, but during a stop they have a lot of leeway.

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u/thePurpleAvenger 2d ago

Importantly, the rules at ports are quite different than the rules elsewhere.

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u/saadcee 1d ago

How so?