DHS Updates on REAL ID Enforcement, Keeping IDentities Safe Comments

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Oct 13, 2015, 08:30 ET

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a release late last Friday afternoon providing an update of enforcement of the federal REAL ID Act. DHS also provided new details regarding enforcement at the airports.

The REAL ID Act is a 2005 antiterrorism law with the goal of improving the security of state issued identification, such as driver's licenses and identification cards. REAL ID prohibits federal agencies from accepting a driver's license that does not meet the standards set by DHS. The REAL ID standards are based on best practices designed to reduce identity theft and fraud.

On October 10, DHS expanded enforcement of the REAL ID Act to military bases and almost all federal facilities that require state issued driver's licenses or identification cards. The expansion marks the final phase of enforcement before DHS enforces the REAL ID Act at the airports. DHS also included two new details regarding enforcement at the airports. First, DHS will announce its plans to enforce REAL ID at the airports before the end of the year. Second, there will be a four month notice period before the Transportation Security Administration stops accepting driver's licenses from noncompliant states.

Brian Zimmer, President of Keeping IDentities Safe, stated, "motor vehicle agencies across the country have had nearly 8 years to meet REAL ID secure driver's license requirements, which most would agree was sufficient time. It is regrettable that residents of some states will suffer inconvenience at the airports because of imprudent delays by state legislatures, along with Governors Cuomo of New York and Jindal of Louisiana."

About Keeping IDentities Safe:

Keeping IDentities Safe is a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, not for profit, crime prevention education public charity, supported by donor contributions from across the United States. Its slogan, "Working to protect the identity of every American", embodies its 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. Keeping IDentities Safe is a member of the Document Security Alliance and of the American National Standards Institute.

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SOURCE Keeping IDentities Safe