Support wanes for secure IDs
Sean Holstege
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 23, 2008 12:00 AM

Opposition is building in the Arizona Legislature against separate federal and state plans to create secure drivers' licenses, which will be needed to travel across the international border or board domestic flights.

The federal program, which hasn't been implemented, requires each state and territory to develop a license that cannot be easily forged and is based on verified documents, such as birth certificates. People who lack the so-called Real ID would be barred from flights or federal buildings.

Arizona's card would be voluntary. Obtaining one would require proof of U.S. citizenship. It could be used to drive, return from Mexico without a passport and prove employment eligibility under Arizona's employer-sanctions law.

If the state plan were implemented, Arizona would become the first state on the U.S.-Mexican border to issue enhanced drivers' licenses.

But the plan, just like the federal program, faces hurdles.

Real ID lacks funding and political support. The state plan also lacks critical support, with opponents calling it the first step toward a national identification card.

The two programs stem from recommendations to tighten security in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Arizona's card would be "Real ID compliant," under a December pact between Gov. Janet Napolitano and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. The agreement ensures Arizona's proposed license would be secure enough to meet federal standards at the border.

The Legislature must pass a bill authorizing the new state IDs and adjusting fees to cover the still-unknown costs. The bill failed to clear a key committee, throwing the license into doubt.

Seventeen states have passed laws opposing the 2005 Real ID Act. Arizona could join them. An opt-out bill cleared the Arizona House of Representatives, 51-8, Wednesday and heads to a Senate that unanimously passed a resolution opposing the federal mandate a week earlier.

Opponents object to Real ID because of high initial cost estimates and the fear it would establish a national identity card backed by a massive central database of personal records.

"I have problems with both Real ID and the 3-in-1 driver's license and the reason is the same for both. They are way too intrusive, and they won't make us any safer," said state Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Phoenix.

"I hope they both go down in flames," said state Sen. Karen Johnson, R-Mesa. "I think we're doing fine with what we have."

The 9/11 Commission, Congress and Department of Homeland Security all believe easily forged or fraudulently obtained IDs remain a critical weakness in combating terrorism.

"Real ID will add security," said Stewart Baker, assistant secretary for policy at DHS.

Both Real ID and the enhanced Arizona license would require that documents be verified before identification cards are issued.

State Rep. Bill Konopnicki, R-Safford, introduced the bill to authorize the state licenses.

Regulations for Real ID were issued in late January and take effect May 11. However, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has granted extensions until the end of 2009, with options for a further two-year extension.

Neither the president nor Congress has earmarked funding for the $4 billion program.

Arizona has a unique challenge: It has the most illegal immigration and has the toughest employer-sanction law.

"One way people get jobs illegally is to steal the real identities of people. You stop it by having better checks on the documents they present," Baker said. "We will watch it closely, and other states on the southern border are waiting to see how it goes."

The state of Washington became the first state to issue a driver's license that meets the Real ID standard, at a cost of $9 million. In two months, 5,300 licenses have been issued, said a spokeswoman with the state licensing agency. State officials twice have refused to issue IDs because they didn't trust the identification documents.

Washington's program is voluntary, as would be Arizona's.

www.azcentral.com