Several interviewed persons lacked any kind of valid identity or travel document. It turned out that the lack of documentation proving a person’s identity had considerable impact on their everyday life and caused stressful situations. The lack of documentation affected not only the ability to prove one’s identity, but also their access to rights, services and the State authorities. The inability to prove one’s identity became the key factor determining their lives. Some stateless persons tried to use other documents that at least in some way indicated their identity. One participant, for instance, said he kept his client card issued during his stay in the detention centre in order to prove his identity. « « « You must have something to receive assistance. You must have some document to go to any office.” You have to have documents, there is no other possibility.” At least something, it does not have to be the same thing as for nationals but I wished they gave me at least some document so I can start anew. They should give me a document and if they don’t want me here in the Czech Republic, I can go to another country and start working there. (…) I want something. Anything, in order to start anew.” Some interviewed persons were staying in the country on the basis of the pending administrative expulsion procedure. During this procedure, a foreign national is allowed to remain lawfully in the country and the Foreign Police issues a written confirmation thereof. For some of the interviewed persons, this was the only official document they had. However, its use in everyday life causes problems because it is not designed as a standard identity document with a photograph. 38 Faces of Statelessness in the Czech Republic