DHS Announces: Thirteen States have met the January, 2013 REAL ID Deadline, Enforcement of the Rule will be final in 2015.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released by the Coalition for a Secure Driver's License:

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100720/DC36328LOGO)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary for Policy, today announced that DHS will begin a systematic and tailored enforcement of the REAL ID rules during calendar year 2013.  Based on a review of progress in states that have submitted detailed compliance documents, DHS has determined that Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming have met the Act's requirements. The Department commended these states, while warning the other states that they need to continue to make substantial progress meeting the rules, or face enforcement actions.  

Coalition for a Secure Driver's License (CSDL) President, Brian Zimmer, said, "The Department of Homeland Security today made their enforcement plan public. The thirteen states who have taken the necessary steps to meet the extensive driver's license security requirements are vindicated in their prudent and timely efforts. The other states get a reprieve from strict enforcement that many thought would begin next month on January 15^th."

"We know that is has been difficult and time consuming for the driver's license agencies in those thirteen states that have pushed through the needed reforms to meet DHS' security standards. They have managed these improvements despite opposition from misinformed interest groups, sometimes having to overcome frivolous law suits that have delayed them. The members of the Coalition for a Secure Driver's License salute the hard working DMV employees of those thirteen states and their management teams for the many hours of conscientious effort required to bring their states into compliance. The REAL ID standards are highly complex, and compliance has not been easy for them."

"Those states not yet meeting REAL ID rules now know that enforcement is coming, and that they have less than a year to take steps to ensure their citizens will be able to board airplanes or enter federal buildings," said Zimmer. "The governors in states with statues barring compliance, for example Minnesota and Arizona should take particular heed. They should alert their residents that the driver's licenses in their pockets won't be acceptable IDs for federal agencies and airport inspectors. Their citizens will need to obtain U.S. Passports or plan other modes of transportation than commercial airlines."

For a map of the States meeting REAL ID compliance, go to http://secure-license.org/

About the Coalition for a Secure Driver's License:

The Coalition for a Secure Driver's License is a 501 (c) (3) non-partisan, not for profit, crime prevention education public charity, supported by donor contributions from across the United States. 

The CSDL slogan, "Working to protect the identity of every American," embodies our commitment to higher standards for both government and private entities that issue identity credentials, especially state agencies that issue driver's licenses and ID cards. CSDL undertakes research projects addressing best practices for DMVs, compliance with federal laws and regulations, identity fraud prevention and related identity management topics. CSDL provides research results and educational programs to the public and to state and federal officials. CSDL is a member of the Document Security Alliance and of the American National Standards Institute.

Details are available on CSDL's website at www.secure-license.org.

SOURCE Coalition for a Secure Driver's License

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