GRE Identification

I sent this email to ETS today. They administer the GRE exam, which most university graduate programs require to be admitted. Today at the testing center I was asked for a passport to take the GRE even though I had provided my California ID . Why? - because I marked the box "Not U.S. Citizen." Why do they need to see a passport? Also, if the passport is in Spanish, they want it translated and they won't accept a consulate ID. A CA ID is enough to get on a plane and yet they want to see a passport to take a test?

I wrote them the following:
Is ETS aware that there are thousands of undocumented students pursuing higher education and entrance into graduate programs all over the US? Legislation has passed to permit undocumented students that have grown up here in the US to pay the same fees as U.S. citizens and they have even been afforded the right to financial aid. The college/university application and entrance process DOES NOT require these student to present a passport and yet this test REQUIRES that students that check the box "NOT CITIZEN" present a passport. Please be aware and mindful that these students A) have not been in their home countries for years and thus do NOT have a passport or the ability to GET a passport B) they might have a consulate ID but you don't accept them and C) it is an extremely sensitive discussion to have in a testing center (as to why they have marked that they are not a citizen but not have a passport. ETS is not Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE). I ask that you keep up with the times and acknowledge these particular students called DREAMERS. No undocumented student attempting to take a test to get into an institution of higher education should be turned away simply because he/she cannot present a passport. Since you are in business because educational institutions require your tests, you should follow their lead and be more sensitive and informed about the types of documentation that realistically you can ask these students.

We must speak up for change and make our voice/complaints be heard. When we complain for one, we complain for all and perhaps things might change.

Yeah, kinda doesn't make sense and it sucks.

I remember freaking out two years ago when I took the test. Luckily I had my passport in my car and all was well.

Yeah, I had a similar issue when I took the GRE. ETS doesn't care and, given the small number of Dreamers who apply for grad programs, likely won't care for the near future. The amount of BS doesn't end after taking the GRE either. The whole process is just bleh.

But try to keep your chin up.

Weren't there people on here who were able to go through with DL and an EAD card?

Wow..seriously? complaining about showing a passport? When I went to South America and visited various countries, I obviously had to show my passport in order to enter certain museums and universities that I wanted to visit. Also, you seem to forget that international students ( who are legally here) also have to show their passports. Now, we don't hear them complain.

I highly doubt that they do it just to upset you but they obviously touched a nerve. Nobody is out to get you, just chill and breathe :P

Not all of us can easily acquire passports from our countries of birth. There is a significant portion of migrants who have are truly undocumented and don't even have a birth certificate. Acquiring identification cards is a perennial issue. You've seen some improvements of the situation with the advent of city IDs and state policies promoting the use of consular IDs, but there are those who don't even have that.

Saw this on the website. If you really can't get a passport then it might be worth contacting them and explaining:

^Good info, I would think they would clear an EAD + DL if the situation is explained. I'll be doing this in the fall.

I contacted ETS/GRE. They say that the EAD/State ID is sufficient proof in our case.