So in order to get a passport card

[drray23]

You have to fill out a renewal form and send your actual passport book by mail.

I was thinking about getting a passport card to keep in my wallet. I am reconsidering because I am worried that if I send my passport, it might get lost given the incompetence and evilness of the Trump regime.

I am a naturalized citizen (since 2012) and even thought I do not fit the profile for being picked up in the street (I am not Latino, I look like the typical white guy) I don't want to risk it.

I wonder if that is a worry for other naturalized citizens given that the Trump admin is announcing they want to relax the guidelines to go for denaturalization. Who knows what kind of bullshit they will pull to start doing that ?

[LearnedHand]

1. Do get the passport card if you renew

It's extra protection if you lose your passport and makes it easier for the consulate. Regarding renewing now: have you considered renewing in person at a post office or regional passport office? That might be less anxiety-inducing.

[drray23]

2. I need to look at that. If its possible to do it in person, I definitely would.

My passport book is not due to being renewed for several more years., i was investigating getting the passport card without having to renew my passport book which is possible but as I said above if you do it by mail you have to send the passport book.

[LearnedHand]

3. Ah I understand!

And I misunderstood your question. See travel.gov for whether you can add a passport card to an existing unexpired passport book. I don't know if that's available, but they probably have FAQs that will help.

[drray23]

4. yes you can

and the process is that you have to send the passport book as proof of citizenship in order to get the passport card. They dont renew the passport book, just give you a passport card and return the passport book. What worries me is that they could lose my passport book in the process.

[Pachamama]

15. Or keep it

What guarantee is there that a birthright or naturalized citizen have that they will get their passport back?

We warned everyone and told them to get their passport before he took office. (Yes - realizing not everyone has the money to do so). But now that cost probably seems little compared to what the cost is now.

They break all promises and break all laws - so again - what guarantee is there that if you send your passport off in order to get the passport card, that you get your passport back?

My honest recommendation- don’t do it.

[LearnedHand]

5. They totally did have an FAQ about this!

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/passport-help/faqs.html#card

3. Can I get a passport card if I already have a passport book?

Yes. If you already have a passport book and you are eligible to use Form DS-82, you may apply for a passport card by mail as a "renewal" even if it is your first passport card.

You can do the same and apply for your first passport book by mail as a "renewal" if you already have a passport card.

[drray23]

6. indeed. thats what I was discussing.

Note that to do that, you have to send your passport book to get the card.
Here:

[LearnedHand]

7. Got it! Sorry I'm a bit slow today

[BigmanPigman]

13. I did that about 4 years ago

and I am glad I did. When I had to renew my CA drivers license last month (you can't renew on-line 3 times in a row) I took it to the DMV as well as my actual passport since nothing seems to make sense anymore. Crossing from CA to Mexico, just for a few hours, is now a short trip that requires a passport/ID. This is a new thing. Do whatever you can now! Do not take a risk and believe that what has worked for years and years is no longer legal.

[WhiteTara]

8. use fedex

[barbtries]

9. I'm so glad I took care of this

while President Biden was in office. Because I have my passport card, I don't need a Real ID. It has saved me at the bank when I discovered I did not have my drivers license (after searching in vain for it I ordered a replacement DL, then it showed up in the drier one day).

If you're not planning international travel for at least a few months, I say go for it.

I think there may be some places where you can pay extra to have your paperwork expedited.

Best of luck.

[La Urraca]

10. Sending your passport...

I understand your hesitation....not just incompetance. Given what is going on , I would be concerned about getting it back at all .
I agree with the person who suggested trying to do it in person, if that is at all possible.

[DET]

11. For what it's worth...

I recently applied in person for a new passport (with expedited delivery, at extra cost) since my previous passport was too old to qualify for online renewal. I had several forms of ID, but they chose to use my old passport. They confiscated the book but said that it would be returned in the mail. I got three separate deliveries: the new passport, the passport card, and the old passport (today). I figured that something would get screwed up in the process, but everything went smoothly. I can’t speak to the evilness of the Trump regime in dealing with naturalized citizens, but the passport process seems to be remarkably efficient.

[KentuckyWoman]

12. Naturalized citizen experience

My neighbor is in her 80s. Naturalized 50+ years ago. She ticks all the MAGA hate boxes. Iranian, hajib wearing, She intended to go visit her sister this summer and renewed her passport in April that expires in July. She expected the worst. On the contrary, the card came in one post, the passport came in the 2nd and her old passport came back with holes punched last. All within 3 weeks. No issue. She has cancelled her plans due to the recent events with Iran.

[JustTooMuch]

14. Application

I’m in the process of renewing my passport and have had no problems with the mail. Started the process online and the government mailed the packet to me with a return envelope with tracking, so it seems fine.

[LauraInLA]

16. Knock on wood for you, we recently renewed my husband's American passport and had the same experience others

have described — we paid for expedited service and received his book, card, and documents in three separate packages. Now trying to get his American Born Abroad birth certificate amended before that — was a very different experience. We had to ask our Congressperson for help, and it still took five months. Not sure it would have happened without her attention.