The New York Times and the New York Sun recently published stories about Amtrak and Greyhound citizenship checks. The opposition argues naturally that these types of activities are beneficial in order to enforce immigration laws. However, as Fash recently posted, citizens and permanent residents could be discriminated against whether it is through racial profiling or simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

According to Amtrak, ICE officials have the right to conduct random checks, anywhere in the US. Of course, ICE officers provide the most attention near border towns, especially along the US-Mexico border. 

In the New York Times article, a woman observes that checks have been increasing significantly these days; thus, this led immigrant rights activisits to protest these activities. "They [Amtrak and Greyhound] should warn people that this [random citizenship checks] could happen," she states.

So how would legal residents and citizens prove their status if their bus/train were stopped by ICE? For permanent residents, they ought to carry their "green" cards with them. However, there is no document that proves that one is a citizen, save birth certificates. Should American citizens now be compelled to carry their birth certificates when they travel? Or a better question yet--is there a better way to employ time and resources to fix the broken immigration system?