> I'm an immigrant too, I also get "forcibly" (as in: I can't refuse) checked whether I'm legal or not based on how I look, which essentially boils down to spending a minute of my time taking my immigrant card (which shows that I'm legal) out of my wallet, showing it to the police officer (or whatever other government official is asking), and then going my way.
Does that officer have a badge number? Do they wear a uniform? Are they accountable to the law and the courts in some fashion? Do they actually look at and honor your paperwork? Are there any consequences if they abuse their power, or ignore regulations? Can they send you to a foreign prison without holding any kind of trial, and in direct disobedience to a court order?
There's a key difference between "police", who are identifiable and answerable to the law, and "secret police" with masks and unmarked vans and a tendancy to ignore the courts.
Does that officer have a badge number? Do they wear a uniform? Are they accountable to the law and the courts in some fashion? Do they actually look at and honor your paperwork? Are there any consequences if they abuse their power, or ignore regulations? Can they send you to a foreign prison without holding any kind of trial, and in direct disobedience to a court order?
There's a key difference between "police", who are identifiable and answerable to the law, and "secret police" with masks and unmarked vans and a tendancy to ignore the courts.