DHS announced today, December 18th that an extension has been granted for the REAL ID Act.
It comes as no surprise given that I reported on December 8th the statement by Matt Chandler, spokesperson, that Should Congress not act before it adjourns this year, DHS has planned for contingencies related to REAL ID implementation, including extending the deadline as a last resort.
Today DHS released following statement:
As expected, a large majority of states and territories—46 of 56—have informed DHS that they will not be able to meet the Dec. 31 REAL ID material compliance deadline. As the National Governors Association has said, the states have made tremendous progress in driver's license security but simply cannot fulfill the requirements of REAL ID. That's why Secretary Napolitano has supported the efforts of Governors and Congress to enact PASS ID, which puts states on the path to implementing national standards for identification documents and will enhance security across the country.
In order to ensure that the millions of Americans traveling this holiday season are not disrupted, DHS is extending the Dec. 31 REAL ID material compliance deadline. The May 10, 2011, deadline for full compliance remains in effect, and the Department will continue to work closely with states to meet this deadline. However, Congress must act to address systemic problems with the REAL ID Act to advance our security interests over the long term. DHS is committed to moving forward to implement this key 9/11 Commission recommendation—just last week, the Department announced the availability of $48 million to states for the Drivers License Security Grant Program, to help prevent terrorism, reduce fraud, and improve the reliability and accuracy of personal identification documents.
What does this mean? You can fly with your driver's license as ID. Read more about REAL ID
But this really is just a holding pattern. DHS wants Pass ID to pass. Many want it to fail. I'll be examining Pass ID in upcoming columns.
(c) Neala Schwartzberg
Comments
good to hear about the update, thanks Neala
Not that I am ever, ever, ever going to fly again, but I'm glad this issue is on hold for now. Good info, Neala. You make it easy to keep up with this.
I can put away my passport when flying around the US of A!
So - DHS is in a holding pattern?
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