Last Friday, head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Michael Chertoff (whom I gave the evil eye in a CNN green room) announced the final regulations of the REAL ID Act.
Among other things, states have until May 2008 to comply with the law to keep residents’ current IDs valid for air travel (intent to comply is OK at this point), or seek waivers. Final implementation will be delayed until 2017.
Signed into law in 2005, the REAL ID Act was a response to the September 11 terrorist attacks, or more specifically, to the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations that the federal government set standards for identification cards. REAL ID requires states to comply with these standards if they wish to continue receiving federal dollars.
Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of REAL ID (and my favorite) is the requirement that people seeking a driver’s license prove they’re in the country legally. States must verify that these proof-of-status documents and social security numbers are legitimate. And DMVs will be required to take license photos at the beginning of the process instead of at the end. Why? If the person ends up not getting a license because they don’t have the necessary documents, their photos will be on file. The idea is to link up state databases, so if such people attempt to get a license in another state, a record of their failed attempts will show up. Additionally, the new IDs supposedly will be tamper-proof.
Americans will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or photo ID card for “official purposes” like boarding airplanes and entering federal buildings. Residents of non-complying states will be hassled more than usual when trying to board planes and enter federal builders. A regular driver’s license won’t cut it. They’ll have to show ID like passports.
REAL ID implementation will take place in stages. For instance, by the end of 2009, states must check the legal status of driver’s license applicants with DHS. By 2014, license holders born after 1964 will be required to have a REAL ID driver’s license. By 2017, all license holders will be required to carry one. The extensions are designed to reduce the costs of implementing the new law.
Seventeen states openly oppose REAL ID (including my home state of SC), citing funding and/or privacy concerns. Some believe the idea of a national database is dangerous. Others say it’s too much government control. They fear that one day, REAL IDs will be required to vote or open a bank account or even rent a DVD.
Other say we’ll be vulnerable to computer hackers with access to our personal information. DHS says REAL ID is not a “national ID,” and the information contained in DMV databases will not be available “willy nilly,” whatever that means.
While I also have concerns about privacy, I’m willing to take the risk if REAL ID will make it tougher for terrorists and illegal aliens to obtain valid IDs and stop them from entering or remaining in the country. Islamofascists have mucked it up for everybody. Don’t be angry with the federal government for trying to do something to secure the homeland; vent your anger on thugs who make it necessary for us to secure the homeland.
Is REAL ID borderline Big Brother-ish? Probably. But the older I get, the more willing I am to give up just a little bit of my privacy to make the country safer for all Americans. How about you?
(Photo source: Hartford Courant)
Sources:
- New Driver’s License Rules Are Issued
- New ID Rules May Complicate Air Travel
- REAL ID required for under-50 by 2014
