Thread: Feds Cite Hassles if ID Law Not Followed

Published Monday | March 3, 2008
Feds Cite Hassles if ID Law Not Followed
By DEVLIN BARRETT Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - Homeland Security officials are pushing recalcitrant states to adopt stricter driver's license standards to end a standoff that could disrupt domestic air travel.

States have less than a month to send a letter to the Homeland Security Department seeking an extension to comply with the Real ID law passed following the 2001 terror attacks. Some states have resisted, saying it is costly, impractical and an invasion of privacy.

Four states - Maine, Montana, New Hampshire and South Carolina - have yet to seek an extension.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff argues that the law fixes a critical gap in security identified by the commission that investigated the 9/11 attacks: the ease of obtaining government-issued ID. It will also hinder would-be con artists and illegal immigrants, he said.

Real ID-compliant driver's licenses would have several layers of new security features to prevent forgery. They would also be issued after a number of ID checks, including verification of birth certificates, Social Security numbers and immigration status. Officials acknowledge it will take years to phase in all the different security measures.

To bring the states in line, Chertoff warned that any state that does not seek an extension by the end of March will find that, come May, their residents will not be able to use their licenses to board domestic flights.

Chertoff's assistant secretary, Stewart Baker, sent letters to several governors Monday reminding them of the looming deadline, and urging the holdouts to seek an extension.

In recent years, 17 states passed legislation or resolutions opposing Real ID, but now only a handful appear willing to challenge the government publicly.

Officials in Maine and Montana insisted Monday they would not seek an extension. A spokesman for South Carolina's governor said he was still considering it. New Hampshire passed a law last year prohibiting the state from participating in the Real ID program, and Gov. John Lynch wrote Chertoff last week asking him not to impose the requirements on New Hampshire citizens.

A fifth state, Delaware, has sent a letter asking for an extension, but DHS officials are still weighing whether the wording of the letter legally adds up to an extension request.

If the states do not seek an extention by March 31, their residents will be subjected to secondary screening by security workers before boarding any domestic flight beginning May 11.

"We're not going to buckle under here," said Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer. "My guess is the people of Montana would be proud to walk through that line."

Schweitzer called the Real ID proposal a bureaucratic boondoggle that will cost his state a fortune and give a false sense of security without actually making ID more reliable. He has sought to rally opposition to Real ID, but the vast majority of states have decided not to test whether Washington is bluffing.

As the high-stakes game of chicken continues, federal authorities are not publicly saying whether seeking an extension actually counts as complying with the law. In his recent letters, Baker said only that the 45 states that have sought extensions are "on track toward improved security."

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On the Net:

Homeland Security Department: http://www.dhs.gov
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1 ... d=10228887

It should read:

Feds use coercion and arm twisting if Real ID isn't agreed upon.

They are going to scrutinize the citizens of the states who hasn't asked for an extension and even though the passengers from other states will not have a real id. There needs to be some massive lawsuits.

The halls of congress need a good cleaning!

Go Ron Paul!

If the states do not seek an extention by March 31, their residents will be subjected to secondary screening by security workers before boarding any domestic flight beginning May 11.

Good! The other passengers have a right to be secure when travelling.
Libertarians and illegals who object are still free to travel via their mules.

If the states do not seek an extention by March 31, their residents will be subjected to secondary screening by security workers before boarding any domestic flight beginning May 11.

"We're not going to buckle under here," said Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer. "My guess is the people of Montana would be proud to walk through that line."

My guess brian is the "legal citizens" of Montana might have a somewhat different opinion.

Originally Posted by NoBueno

If the states do not seek an extention by March 31, their residents will be subjected to secondary screening by security workers before boarding any domestic flight beginning May 11.

"We're not going to buckle under here," said Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer. "My guess is the people of Montana would be proud to walk through that line."

My guess brian is the [b"]legal citizens"[/b] of Montana might have a somewhat different opinion.

Since we now have millions of non-citizens in the country, it is now necessary that people prove they are "legal citizens" if they wish to vote or travel on an airline.

Tell me what happens when a citizen from one of these states cannot board a plane to get to a business meeting? A college student cannot go back to school? Another cannot visit a dying relative?

These states think nothing of the hardship its citizens and legal residents will face, as long as illegal aliens are protected? Screw the majority to protect the few?

Yeah, let ALL Americans know that these states value illegal aliens MORE than legal immigrants and US citizens!

Originally Posted by miguelina

Tell me what happens when a citizen from one of these states cannot board a plane to get to a business meeting? A college student cannot go back to school? Another cannot visit a dying relative?

These states think nothing of the hardship its citizens and legal residents will face, as long as illegal aliens are protected? Screw the majority to protect the few?

Yeah, let ALL Americans know that these states value illegal aliens MORE than legal immigrants and US citizens!

People need to prove they are US citizens before voting or flying on planes. If American citizens live in a state that does not have a secure ID, they can always get a US Passport as a means of legitimately documenting the fact they are a US citizen.

It is especially important that all people who wish to vote are able to prove they are US citizens.

The Govt makes no exceptions for religious objections
They make no exceptions for people who have opted out of Social Security
They make no exceptions for people born at home and have no certificates of birth
No exceptions for undercover police officer or govt workers
No exceptions for people who only get mail at po boxes
No exceptions for victims of domestic violence.
NOT TO MENTION THE LAW IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL

By the way, everyone, NC is making progress in getting rid the the REAL ID! THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP! YOUR HARD WORK IS PAYING OFF!

Yes, this is the Chertoff contribution to implementing the REAL ID.