• Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock
Editor's Pick

Pandemic, price tags and privacy concerns: Why it took 20 years to implement REAL ID

by April 21, 2025
written by April 21, 2025

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s announcement that REAL IDs will be required to fly starting May 7 has forced Americans to finally get compliant – 20 years after Congress passed the law. 

On May 11, 2005, President George W. Bush signed the REAL ID Act into law to enhance national security in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Passed by the U.S. Congress, the act set federal standards for issuing identification cards, like driver’s licenses.

Starting next month, REAL ID will be required to access federal facilities, enter nuclear power plants and board commercial aircraft. REAL ID’s rollout has faced nearly two decades of political pushback, setbacks and delays. 

In the two years after it was passed, the National Governors Association (NGA), the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) called for delaying its implementation, citing logistical concerns. 

Since its passing, states and advocacy groups have rejected its implementation. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – a longtime opponent of REAL ID implementation – called it ‘discriminatory, expensive, burdensome, invasive, and ultimately counterproductive’ in 2007 as disapproval grew nationwide. By 2009, at least 25 states had enacted legislation opposing the REAL ID Act.

States rejected REAL ID for a range of reasons, including costs, states’ rights and privacy concerns. Three years after the law was passed, REAL ID’s first deadline was set for May 11, 2008. But in the face of opposition, DHS extended the deadline to May 11, 2011, under President Barack Obama’s administration. 

DHS later implemented a four-phase plan that extended beyond the 2011 deadline. By 2016, 23 states were fully compliant with the REAL ID Act, 27 states and territories were granted extensions, and six were noncompliant without extensions, according to a DHS letter. 

By Jan. 22, 2018, travelers would no longer be allowed to use a state-issued ID for domestic travel, and by Oct. 1, 2020, REAL ID ‘or another acceptable form of identification’ would be required for domestic air travel. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, President Donald Trump extended the REAL ID deadline to Oct. 1, 2021. That deadline was later extended to May 3, 2023, by President Joe Biden’s administration ‘due to circumstances resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.’

The Biden administration finally extended the deadline to May 7, 2025, to give states ‘additional time to ensure their residents have driver’s licenses and identification cards that meet the security standards established by the REAL ID Act.’

Noem announced the May 7, 2025, deadline would hold as the Trump administration seeks to prevent illegal immigrants from traveling within the United States.

‘Starting May 7, you will need a REAL ID to fly. REAL IDs make identification harder to forge, thwarting criminals and terrorists. If you plan to fly, make sure you get a REAL ID so you won’t be denied from your flight or face travel delays!’ Noem said. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
Ex-Pentagon aide urges Trump to fire Hegseth, citing ‘full-blown meltdown’ and ‘total chaos’
next post
State Dept defends human rights abuse report changes, says streamlined process eliminates ‘political bias’

related articles

Bipartisan fury at CDC: Senators demand probe, reject...

August 28, 2025

CDC official includes ‘pregnant people’ terminology and pronouns...

August 28, 2025

Trump pick for UN aviation office has long...

August 28, 2025

US agencies distance themselves from Chinese-founded PDF software

August 28, 2025

What did Obama know about the Trump–Russia probe?...

August 28, 2025

UK, France, Germany trigger UN sanctions on Iran...

August 28, 2025

Is Trump considering bold Africa play to push...

August 28, 2025

CDC Director Susan Monarez refuses to be fired...

August 28, 2025

Bill Gates met with Trump to talk ‘importance...

August 28, 2025

Trump asks SCOTUS to uphold freeze on billions...

August 27, 2025
Enter Your Information Below To Receive Free Trading Ideas, Latest News, And Articles.


Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!

Latest News

  • A major swing in these voter groups helped carry Trump to victory

    November 13, 2024
  • Apple crushes Wall Street expectations as iPhone sales soar

    August 1, 2025
  • How Wall Street banks cashed in on Trump’s tariff turbulence as market volatility boosted equity trading revenues

    April 15, 2025
  • Trump rescinds Biden-era policy declaring DEI an ‘integral’ part of scientific process

    March 20, 2025
  • Google makes first foray into fusion in venture with MIT spinoff Commonwealth Fusion Systems

    July 1, 2025

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Secret Service admits leaning on ‘state and local partners’ after claim it ignored Trump team’s past requests

    July 21, 2024
  • 2

    Five more House Democrats call on Biden to drop out, third US senator

    July 19, 2024
  • 3

    Elon and Vivek should tackle US funding for this boondoogle organization and score a multimillion dollar win

    December 4, 2024
  • 4

    Forex Profit Calculator: Maximize Your Trading Potential

    July 10, 2024
  • 5

    Biden calls to ‘lower the temperature’ then bashes Trump in NAACP speech

    July 17, 2024

Categories

  • Economy (829)
  • Editor's Pick (5,842)
  • Investing (634)
  • Stock (909)

Latest Posts

  • Trump makes endorsement in ‘important’ Wisconsin Supreme Court race

    March 23, 2025
  • From Bunge’s Viterra deal to Shein’s IPO: US-China trade war derails major cross-border deals

    May 3, 2025
  • Hamas frees 3 more hostages as part of ceasefire agreement with Israel

    February 8, 2025

Recent Posts

  • LIZ PEEK: Democrats are squealing over latest Trump plan to cut wasteful spending for one reason

    March 11, 2025
  • Johnson allies urge Trump to intervene as messy speaker battle threatens to delay 2024 certification

    December 24, 2024
  • Geopolitics at the docks: how China could weigh in on CK Hutchison’s sale of ports

    March 19, 2025

Editor’s Pick

  • America must win the AI race — and prepare for the worst

    July 28, 2025
  • Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene airs frustrations, warns that she represents a ‘not happy’ Republican base

    May 5, 2025
  • Mike Lee outlines roadmap for McConnell successor, warns the ‘health of the Republican Party’ is at stake

    October 8, 2024
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Disclaimer: moneyrisetoday.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

Copyright © 2025 moneyrisetoday.com | All Rights Reserved

Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock