It appears full enforcement of new REAL ID card registration
is experiencing another delay.
The Biden administration has proposed delaying full enforcement
of new regulations requiring Americans to get new identification cards in order
to board airplanes or enter a federal building by up to another two years to
May 2027, according to Reuters.
However, The Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
that would provide federal agencies with necessary flexibility to begin
enforcement of the REAL ID regulations on the May 7, 2025, deadline in a manner
that takes into account security, operational risk and public impact.
A TSA spokesperson released the following statement to TravelPulse.
"REAL
ID enforcement begins on May 7, 2025. On that date, every air traveler
18 years of age and older must have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s
license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable
form of ID to fly within the United States. The list of acceptable IDs
is available on TSA.gov. The proposed rule maintains the deadline and provides necessary flexibility for agencies to begin enforcement in a way that takes into account security, operational risk, and public impact. While
the proposed ruled would allow TSA to consider a phased approach to
enforcement, travelers without a REAL ID compliant ID or another form of
acceptable ID after the May 7, 2025, deadline should be prepared to experience travel delays at airport security checkpoints.
The rule would require that any agency using a phased enforcement plan
achieve full enforcement no later than May 2027. However, agencies may
choose to begin full enforcement immediately on May 7, 2025, or choose
to implement a phased enforcement plan that achieves full enforcement
before May 2027."
Enforcing the requirements immediately could have a
significant impact on U.S. airlines and airports.
TSA, which is part of DHS and oversees airport security
checkpoints, said that it wants to implement a "phased approach" to
the requirements through May 2027 but could begin full enforcement. Spokesperson
Carter Langston said the agency's message to travelers is get the new ID to
avoid delays.
DHS believes that without the postponement, U.S. agencies
could face a serious risk of operational disruption, negative public impact and
potential
security vulnerabilities. In addition,
TSA said that failing to accept older IDs for a longer period could "lead
to long lines and crowding at access points to federal facilities or airport
security checkpoints."
One major issue with the ID requirement is that more than
124 million people still do not have compliant IDs. DHS estimates states and
territories have issued approximately 162 million REAL ID-compliant IDs - or 56
percent of all state IDs.
TSA said agencies could issue warning notices or impose
progressive consequences instead of fully enforcing the ID requirement starting
next May and that TSA it may opt to give three warnings before travelers are
told they cannot travel on future flights without a new ID.
DHS however, added that it "expects very few agencies
to choose an enforcement plan that tracks individual instances of
noncompliance."
The REAL ID Act, which was enacted following the 9/11
Commission's recommendation, established minimum security standards for
state-issued drivers’ licenses and identification cards for the purpose of
boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft, accessing certain federal
facilities, and entering nuclear power plants.
Identity verification is foundational to security.
Enforcement of the REAL ID Act and regulations enhances TSA’s ability to
accurately verify a traveler’s identity document.
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