How would I have a state-issued photo ID without a birth certificate? ... it's basically impossible for someone to get a driver's license in the first place unless they happen to have their birth certificate
NY state (among others) does not require proof of legal residency in the US to obtain a driver's license or state photo ID. NY requires only proof of identity/birth date (which can be something like a foreign passport, or a statement from a parent/guardian who already has a photo ID) and proof of name (such as bank statement, ATM card, union card, HS diploma, GED). (List of forms of proof, statement from parent/guardian form.)
(IMO this is part of what makes Arizona's law about proving residency on demand so horrible, that many state licenses don't actually prove residency. I know I know they claim that a license will be accepted, but that's not in the law as written.)
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NY state (among others) does not require proof of legal residency in the US to obtain a driver's license or state photo ID. NY requires only proof of identity/birth date (which can be something like a foreign passport, or a statement from a parent/guardian who already has a photo ID) and proof of name (such as bank statement, ATM card, union card, HS diploma, GED). (List of forms of proof, statement from parent/guardian form.)
(IMO this is part of what makes Arizona's law about proving residency on demand so horrible, that many state licenses don't actually prove residency. I know I know they claim that a license will be accepted, but that's not in the law as written.)