WASHINGTON, Sept 12 (Askume) – The Biden administration proposed on Thursday that full implementation of new rules requiring Americans to obtain new identification cards when boarding a plane or entering a federal building would be delayed by two years, until May 2027.
Congress approved federal standards for issuing ID cards in 2005, but their implementation has been repeatedly delayed.
The Department of Homeland Security has extended the December 2022 Real ID enforcement deadline to May 7, 2025.
Immediate implementation of these requirements could have significant consequences for US airlines and airports.
The Transportation Security Administration, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security and oversees airport security checkpoints, said Thursday that it hopes to implement a “phased approach” to the requirements by May 2027.
The Department of Homeland Security believes that if this action is not delayed, U.S. agencies could face a serious risk of operational disruptions, negative public impact, and potential security breaches.
The 2005 law implemented the committee’s September 11, 2001 recommendation that the U.S. government “establish standards for the issuance of driver licenses and other sources of identification.” The act sets minimum security standards for licensing and production.
A major problem is that more than 124 million people still do not have compliant identification documents. DHS estimates that states and territories have issued about 162 million REAL ID-compliant driver licenses or other identification documents, and 56% of the population has a state-issued license or identification document.
TSA said agencies may issue warning notices or gradually apply consequences rather than fully implementing the ID requirements by May.
