REAL ID Act of 2005
REAL ID is an effort to combine driver's licenses and state ID cards into a national identification system as a way to support national security. It requires states to adopt federal standards for handling drivers’ personal information and to share that information with other states.
Beginning May 11, 2008, these ID cards became mandatory for all federal purposes such as flying on commercial airlines, entering government buildings, nuclear facilities or national parks, and more. However, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended full implementation requirements to 2011.
REAL ID licenses and cards must meet the following minimum standards:
· information and security features that must be incorporated into each card
· applicant's proof of identity and
· security standards for issuers of licenses and identification cards
While DHS believes that a federal ID plan will help fight terrorism and reduce fraud, many people see it as a way for Big Brother to keep tabs on its citizens.
Background
The Real ID Act started off in the House, introduced by Representative James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) with 140 cosponsors. The House passed REAL ID by a vote of 261-161. This bill was later attached to the 2005 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief bill, which was passed by Congress and signed into law on May 11, 2005.
The deadline for REAL ID statutory compliance was May 11, 2008, although DHS has offered extensions to all states through December 21,
Pros
Our national security depends on REAL ID: DHS has stated that state-issued identification is an important step toward enhancing national security. Because driver's license serves so many purposes (access to federal buildings, nuclear power plants, boarding aircraft, etc.), terrorists actively seek fraudulent state-issued identification. The REAL ID rules will make it more difficult for them, while making it easier for law enforcement to detect falsified documents.
REAL ID does not create a national database: Authorized DMV officials will be able to verify that an applicant holds only one valid REAL ID. However, REAL ID does not grant the Federal Government or law enforcement greater access to DMV data, nor does it create a national database.
REAL ID is not a federal mandate: The Act does not prevent states from issuing non-compliant REAL ID driver's licenses and state ID cards. Nor are individuals required to obtain a REAL ID card. However, any individual who wants to use a state-issued driver's license or identification card for federal purposes (such as boarding a commercial plane, entering a national park, etc.) after May 11, 2008 (or by the state's extended deadline) must present a REAL ID-compliant card.
Cons
No debate in Congress: The Act was adopted without a separate vote and with virtually no debate. Because it was attached to a military spending bill, opponents point out that the issue has not been fully researched and discussed.
Privacy violations: Although DHS states that the Act does not create a national database, civil liberties advocates and others are concerned about the risks associated with an inter-state system of personal information storage, including privacy loss and identity theft.
The expense: Homeland Security initially estimated the cost of REAL ID to be $23 million over 10 years. In 2008, it scaled back that estimate to $9 billion; still a relatively expensive program to implement.
It is a burden on state governments: Although DHS has made available $361 million in grants (FY06-FY08) to assist states with REAL ID implementation, the majority of the financial burden still rests on cash-strapped states. In addition, these governments are overwhelmed with complying with REAL ID regulations including remaking driver's licenses, restructuring databases and other systems, and putting a process in place to validate every piece of identification documentation presented at its DMVs.
It does not solve national security issues: Opponents of REAL ID argue that terrorists and others with bad intentions will always be able to find ways to falsify identity documents. Passports, even with all of its inherent security measures are still obtained fraudulently; REAL ID cards will be no different.
Where it Stands
As of December 2008, 21 states had rejected REAL ID and passed legislation against implementation of REAL ID, passed resolutions denouncing REAL ID or introduced anti-REAL ID legislation. DHS has moved deadlines and offered extensions in a bid to gain state support, but it has yet to find any.
Source:DHS.gov
