Proof of citizenship for renewal...

[JohnKSa]

I just got a letter from DPS stating that since I was born out of the country, they would not continue processing my renewal application until I provided proof of citizenship.

Ok, here's what is stupid about this.

1. When I renewed my Driver's License just last year, I provided proof of citizenship. Clearly the DPS has access to this information.

2. They are willing to accept COPIES of the proof (copy of U.S. Passport, copy of Birth Certificate, etc.) I could whip something up in about 10 minutes on the computer that would be far more official looking than the real thing.

3. This is not a state law. They're enforcing a Federal law dealing with eligibility to purchase a handgun.

4. They're the GOVERNMENT. Even if they didn't have my DL information proving I'm a citizen, they could find this information out easily.

5. This is a RENEWAL. I've been using my CHL in lieu of a background check to purchase firearms for many years. Didn't they think to check to see if I was eligible to purchase firearms before they issued my initial CHL? How about when they issued me my past renewals?

I've got an official copy of my birth certificate that I'll send them tomorrow. It's not a problem, just silliness.

[KBCraig]

3. This is not a state law. They're enforcing a Federal law dealing with eligibility to purchase a handgun.

You don't even have to be a citizen, just a resident alien (green card holder)!

Kevin

[The Marshal]

John,
Thinking that the Govt's Left Hand even knows that the Right Hand exists is a recipe for disappointment!
At least they are not denying it outright this time, regardless of your obviously good history.

You'll probably get your renewal before I get my New App. Hah!

~Bill

[JohnKSa]

It gets more stupid...

I called them today and finally got through. I pointed out that the change in law they reference took place in 1999 and they renewed my CHL in 2002 without requiring proof of citizenship. That had no effect.

After the demonstration that logic was not an issue, I didn't think it was worth asking them why the background check they do is incapable of determining citizenship.

ANYWAY, I asked the lady (who was very polite) what I should do with my Birth Certificate. I said I would rather not send them an original, would a notarized copy be sufficient. No, she said. Just a regular photocopy. A photocopy? Yes, or if you already have the original on hand, you can just FAX it to us.

You heard right folks. Apparently they aren't too worried about proving citizenship if they'll take a FAX of an original document. I should have asked her if she would rather have me email her a softcopy of it!

Anyway, I'll call them tomorrow to see if they got it and if things are now copacetic.

Just one more example of your tax dollars working harder, not smarter.

[txinvestigator]

A little off topic;

My wifes younger sister was born in Austin, TX in 1985. In 1986, her parents moved the entire family to France. My wife lived there for 3 years, then moved back to the states as soon as she graduated from high school. (BTW, there was no english spoken to her, and no translated pages, but THATs a whole 'nother thread)

For reasons known only to my wife's kooky parents, they never obtained a Social Security Card for my wife's sister. We'll call her Kelly.

Kelly and mom made several trips to the US to visit, and Kelly has a US PASSPORT as a US citizen.

Kelly decided this year that she wanted to move to the US and make a better life. France is socialist, and few there have ANY drive. She wanted the American Dream. My wife and I agreed to let Kelly move in with us, but we set ground rules and time frames for getting a job, contributing to the running of the house, getting her own place (her ultimate goal) and becoming an indpendant American.

Once she was here the first order of business was getting her a Social Security Card so she could work. Her US passport and certified copy of her birth certificate was not enough. Since she was 20 years old and just know wanting a SS card, they assumed she was commiting fraud. She was deemed guilty, and had to prove her innocence.

We obtained records of her time in France, but she was still denied a card. No due process, no 14th amendment rights.

I had to write US Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison to get action.

[JohnKSa]

...she was still denied a card. No due process, no 14th amendment rights.

So far the only effect of Homeland Security that I've seen personally is hassling citizens when they try to get/renew identification. My wife had to jump through multiple hoops for her last TX DL renewal. Including finding an original BC and then presenting a marriage certificate showing the link between the original BC and her current name.

I'll call them tomorrow to see if they got it...

NOPE! Way too easy. I was informed that it takes about a week to update a file so I would have to call back in a week to see if the FAX of my BC was accepted.

[JohnKSa]

Finally managed to get through--I'll bet I called 20 times before I finally got a response.

The first 19 or so calls put me on hold for a few minutes, repeatedly telling me that the next available technician would be with me and then ended by ringing a couple of times and telling me that x7293 could not take my call.

Anyway, they did get my BC and they did accept the FAXed copy as being reasonable proof of my citizenship.

Dunno how far this little mix-up will delay my renewal process, but I figure at least three weeks. Fortunately I've still got nearly 90 days before my old CHL expires...