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> I don't know if you are joking or I need to break it to you that in most cases passports are the de facto identification for foreigners

As a perpetual foreigner I've never had to use my passport number for identification.

>passport S/Ns are being used as part of identification procedures.

Where?

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In the US there are basically 2 forms of ID cards currently, one says “Federal Limits Apply”, the other does not. The one that says “Federal Limits Apply” requires a backup identity document to verify in some cases like buying a gun, or flying. Passports are often used, and while the TSA is going to verify the info on the passport, others likely will just verify if it looks real enough or check that the number actually exists and go no further.

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