Does anyone really understand the REAL ID program that is being implemented by Homeland Security?

Question

It's been in the news recently and correct me if I am wrong or misread, but each state is supposed to have people with driver's license some kind of a tag or some sort of i.d. to let airport security konw they are cleared to travel. I, along with many other Americans do not have a driver's license for whatever reasons we don't have one. Why would we have to be subjected to intense security screenings and does that mean in order to get on a plane, we will have to carry a passport, even if say I were flying from San Francisco to Los Angeles, a domestic route???

bonairetrip · Accepted Answer

Presently government issued picture ID is required to board any flight that originates in the USA.  That is all currently.

REAL ID is a set of federal requirements governing state issued identification (including driver licensing) that the feds would like to see all states impose/follow.  The phase in is somewhat complicated with persons born before 1964 exempt from the requirement for, effectively, almost a decade.  Those born in 1964 and after will have to get one sooner.

So what happens if a state declines to conform their processes and products to real ID?  That id would not be valid for the pruposes of boarding planes and entering federal buildings with security checks.  The latest wrinkle: even though REAL ID is not fully implemented for years, if states do not commit to the feds to do it, the feds are threatening to accepting that ID in MAY 2008. 

It is a bit of brinksmanship at the moment...

Bob P · Answer

The issue is not so much identification, but profiling. Conspirators tend to acquire a uniformity in habit and movement. Therefore confirmed ID of travellers is very helpful to those trying to protect you!

Anonymous · Answer

Real ID information, if you're interested: http://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/laws/gc_1172767635686.shtm and also: http://www.realnightmare.org/

The government claims that Real ID's purpose is to stop illegal immigration.  Yeah, as though criminals couldn't just obtain IDs illegally.  At first they said it was to stop terrorism.  Bullsh!t.  Real ID is just another attempt for the government to exert yet more control over the American citizens.

♥ღ♥Jeanene♥ღ♥ · Answer

If you don't have a drivers license,you'll have to show a photo ID and a birth certificate.

goddessusie · Answer

All that I understand is that we keep losing rights.  What's next...implants or numbers tattooed on us?

Supa is shredding massive metal · Answer

ok so they've...

suspended habeus corpus
AND
are making sure we all have "OUR PAPERS!!!"...

oh...crap...

where's Snake Pliskin when you need him?

good thing I havent sold my guns...

and that Im not a terrorist...

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Does anyone really understand the REAL ID program that is being implemented by Homeland Security?

6 Answers