The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) just dropped a huge new bombshell. They’ve already pushed back the full enforcement deadline for the REAL ID Act to May 7, 2025. This extension, which was initially due to expire on May 3, 2023, intends to address the lasting effects brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. These problems have complicated the ability of states to issue cards that are in compliance.
The REAL ID Act strengthens security by increasing the difficulty of counterfeiting identification documents. This initiative is saving lives by cutting off dangerous access to criminals and terrorists before they have a chance to act. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) just finalized a few critical details regarding enforcement measures. REAL ID will be mandatory starting May 7, 2025. You don’t need a REAL ID to travel by air or board a plane. In practice, those without compliant identification will likely face extra questioning and delays at TSA checkpoints.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem echoed those sentiments in a statement, making clear the significance of this extension.
“But people will be allowed to fly,” – Kristi Noem.
She assured the public that the transition would be as smooth as possible.
“We will make sure it’s as seamless as possible.”
For travelers who don’t have a REAL ID, that means longer lines or additional verification requirements. This is likely to occur even with the extension in hand.
Residents of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington State might have an “enhanced” ID card. This card allows them to fly within the country. It provides them the capacity to cross land and sea borders from the United States into Mexico and Canada. It’s worth mentioning that the “enhanced” ID won’t allow air travel into Mexico or Canada.
In Kentucky, a bi-partisan group of state senators has recently asked for more time before the new requirements go into effect. Those who formerly raised alarm bells about the lack of appointment slots for those needing to acquire the new cards pose a serious challenge to meeting the anticipated next deadline. In fact, the DHS had already delayed the REAL ID implementation in 2022 over similar problems.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has opposed the REAL ID Act. They claim that it imposes undue costs on state governments and potentially threatens public safety.
“This is an inappropriate and dangerous function for state government,” – ACLU statement.
They further argued that regulating immigration should be a federal responsibility and that restrictions on immigrants’ access to driver’s licenses may push them into hiding, distancing them from law enforcement officials.
“Regulating immigration is a federal responsibility. Moreover, restricting immigrants’ access to driver’s licenses is a bad public safety policy as it sends immigrants further into the shadows and keeps them distanced from public safety and law enforcement officials,” – ACLU statement.
The ACLU has raised concerns about identity-based security measures, stating that they are not effective deterrents against terrorism:
“Identity-based security is not an effective way to stop terrorism. Driver’s licenses do not reveal evil intent, and REAL ID will force many who may have valuable intelligence information further into the shadows,” – ACLU statement.
Advocates have raised fears about privacy concerns tied to the REAL ID system.
“It consolidates Americans’ personal information into a network of interlinking databases accessible to the federal government and bureaucrats throughout the 50 states and US territories,” – ACLU of New York statement.
They warn that this could lead to increased government surveillance and create vulnerabilities for identity theft:
“This national mega-database would invite government snooping and be a goldmine for identity thieves,” – ACLU of New York statement.