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Nonprofit libraries ordered by State Department to stop processing passport applications (www.pbs.org)
submitted 8 months ago by to c/news@lemmy.world
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The U.S. State Department has ordered certain public libraries nationwide to cease processing passport applications, disrupting a long-standing service that librarians say their communities have come to rely on and that has run smoothly for years.

Democratic and Republican members of Congress from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Maryland are pushing back, sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio this month asking him to extend the existing program until Congress finds a permanent solution.

The lawmakers' letter said people will have to travel long distances, take unpaid time off from work or forgo getting a passport when demand is surging due to Real ID requirements. If Republicans in Congress impose strict new voting rules, citizens could need their passport or birth certificate to register. People fearing immigration agents are also increasingly carrying passports to confirm their citizenship.

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[–] 126 points 8 months ago (3 children)

Step one, require everyone to bring a passport to register to vote. Step two, stop processing passports.

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  • [–] 14 points 8 months ago

    I would bet that having a passport heavily skews democrat, but you're on the right track. Maybe make a new kind of Trump Voter ID card and require that, then only open offices where you can apply for them in republican areas.

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    • [–] 66 points 8 months ago (1 child)

    What's frustrating is that these are the costs of corruption. This, or that time they sabotaged the postal system in order to try and stifle mail-in voting. Taking a system that's working, and making it not work any longer, doesn't make things better for anyone. It's just overhead! It's paying to knock down a functioning building, leaving nothing in its place, and then paying every month to maintain a fence around the rubble.

    No one benefits from this, except some people that shouldn't be in power get to stay in power, so they can keep doing stuff like this to stay in power, and no other person sees any growth, improvement, or value. That would cut into margins.

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  • [–] 12 points 8 months ago

    This is the standard mantra of the Republican Party - they claim "government doesn't work", then get into power and set out to make their childish little slogan the actual truth. Because they wreck everything.

    And of course, all the Murc's Law Media and reactionary centrists stand there and blame the Democratic Party for not fixing it fast enough when they get even the slightest amount of power. It's even more infuriating when a lot of the left takes up the very same framing, which only helps the right.

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    • [–] 31 points 8 months ago (4 children)

    How long until a Trump Passport option is floated? Pay $100,000 and you get overnight courier delivery with no background or records checks?

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  • [–] 11 points 8 months ago (3 children)

    How long until the USA citizens finally wake up? And Trump goes away once for all?

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  • [–] 7 points 8 months ago (1 child)

    a growing number of americans are waking up (this next crash is going to be a big one), but trump will never see a day behind bars.

    best case scenario he dies in an as embarrassingly public way as possible, tripping down the stairs of AF1 or shitting himself to death

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  • [–] 1 point 8 months ago

    Could also be lynched or otherwise killed by his own security or those around him. He is a distinctly unpleasant person and would probably be on a short list if the cheques start bouncing or the money becomes worth less than monopoly money.

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    • [–] 27 points 8 months ago

    if they want to pass a law requiring voter id because they actually care about fraud, then they would expand their services so more people could get a hold of ids. just another example of them clearly not wanting "free" or "fair" elections. its just a convenient cover that their intellectually deficient voterbase will lap up like dogs. loyal to a fault.

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    [–] 7 points 8 months ago (3 children)

    why stop? they can be submitted by individuals right? ie: we can diy it? then the lib can help someone diy it.

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  • [–] 19 points 8 months ago (1 child)

    They don't just help people fill out the apps, they accept the applications

    Acceptance facilities include post offices, clerks of court, public libraries, and other local government offices which accept passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State.

    You must submit your passport application, documents, and fees at an authorized passport acceptance facility. The passport agent will verify your ID, give you an oath, and have you sign the application.

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  • [–] 6 points 8 months ago

    Your very first passport is subject to additional scrutiny. You generally have to go to a local facility that accepts applications, present your original documents, and attest that they are genuine. Then, all the documentation is sent to the State Department where they validate it all. When the passport is issued, your supporting documents are returned to you by mail. (I hope you didn't have to move in between!)

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