I've been retired from my job as a government investigator since 1999. Since then, I've been mostly a music bum, but I also work as an "activist." My main interests are homelessness, the incarcerated, and immigration. There are lots of Hispanic immigrants in my community in California (which used to be part of Mexico). I know and love many of them, and it scares me to death that so many of them may face deportation if something doesn't change here in the U.S.

But today I got thrown for a loop. I play Scrabble every Friday with an 86-year-old, Irish-born nun. She came to the United States in 1949, and was naturalized in the mid-1950s. But she can't find her naturalization certificate, and she's afraid she might get in trouble if she's stopped by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

I doubt that she'll have any trouble because the color of her skin is "right," even if her accent isn't. But she brings up a good question.

Must a person provide proof of citizenship if stopped by an officer? What kind of proof is sufficient? How can my friend get proof?

For that matter, I know many Irish-born nuns who have been arrested in various demonstrations. Can they be deported, even though they are naturalized citizens?

These are frightening days. I hope they get better soon.

-Joe-