Homeland security real id program

They are in use in many countries around the world including most European countries, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Currently, the United States and the United Kingdom have continued to debate the merits of adopting national ID cards. The types of card, their functions, and privacy safeguards vary widely. Americans have rejected the idea of a national ID card.

When the Social Security Number SSN was created in , it was meant to be used only as an account number associated with the administration of the Social Security system. Though use of the SSN has expanded considerably, it is not a universal identifier and efforts to make it one have been consistently rejected.

In , the Carter Administration reiterated that the SSN was not to become an identifier, and in the Reagan Administration stated that it was "explicitly opposed" to the creation of a national ID card.

The Clinton administration advocated a "Health Security Card" in and assured the public that the card, issued to every American, would have "full protection for privacy and confidentiality.

In Congress repealed a controversial provision in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of which gave authorization to include Social Security Numbers on driver's licenses.

In response to the tragic events of Sept. Soon after the attacks, Larry Ellison, head of California-based software company Oracle Corporation, called for the development of a national identification system and offered to donate the technology to make this possible. He proposed ID cards with embedded digitized thumbprints and photographs of all legal residents in the U.

There was much public debate about the issue, and Congressional hearings were held. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich testified that he "would not institute a national ID card because you do get into civil liberties issues. They said there will be no national ID card.

The public continues to debate the issue, and there have been many other proposals for the creation of a national identification system, some through the standardization of state driver's licenses. The debate remains in the international spotlight -- several nations are considering implementing such systems. The U. Critics argue that it would make driver's licenses into de facto national IDs.

EPIC and others have called for the repeal of this ill-conceived national identification law. Ostensibly voluntary, it would become mandatory as those without the card would face suspicion and increased scrutiny. It is a law imposing federal technological standards and verification procedures on state driver's licenses and identification cards, many of which are beyond the current capacity of the federal government, and mandating state compliance by May State DMVs would far move away from their core mission -- to license drivers.

REAL ID was appended to a bill providing tsunami relief and military appropriations, and passed with little debate and no hearings. Richard Durbin. After more than two years, the Department of Homeland Security issued draft regulations for state compliance on March 1, It is likely that the cost will be shouldered by the public.

In particular, the group admonishes DHS for its failure to include adequate privacy and security safeguards for this massive national identification database. The Secretary scaled back some of the requirements, reduced the cost, and extended the deadline for state compliance. However, Secretary Chertoff also indicated that the REAL ID card would be used for a wide variety of purposes, unrelated to the law that authorized the system, including employment verification and immigration determination.

He also indicated that the agency would not prevent the use of the card by private parties for non-government purposes. As part of the cost-saving effort, Homeland Security has decided not to encrypt the data that will be stored on the card. In an opinion column written by Secretary Chertoff after the publication of the final rule, he said, "embracing REAL ID" would mean it would be used to "cash a check, hire a baby sitter, board a plane or engage in countless other activities.

When it created the Department of Homeland Security, Congress made clear in the enabling legislation that the agency could not create a national ID system. It harms national security by creating yet another "trusted" credential for criminals to exploit. The Department of Homeland Security has faced so many obstacles with the REAL ID system that the agency now plans an implementation deadline of -- nine years later than the statutory deadline.

It is an unfunded mandate that would cost billions, with the burden ultimately being placed on the individual taxpayer. Technical experts familiar with the challenges of privacy protection and identification presented the Department of Homeland Security with a variety of recommendations that would have minimized the risks of the REAL ID system.

The DHS made some modifications, but left the essential system in place. EPIC urged the alternative model of a system of decentralized identification. This reduces the risks associated with security breaches and the misuse of personal information. The law details each and every document the applicant needs to receive credentials. That is why a REAL ID can be used to access certain federal buildings and board domestic flights without the need for a passport.

Most states offer both compliant and non-compliant licenses when you go to apply. You can choose one or the other. Keep in mind that a REAL ID driver license is not required for other common application processes like registering to vote, applying for government benefits or getting health or life insurance.

These marks include:. Both of them are acceptable for the above purposes. You must provide documentation from all of the following categories:.

If you have changed your name recently, you may also need to provide the original or a certified copy of your name change document, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree. Depending on which DMV process you are completing, you may also need to meet additional requirements. Although the process may vary slightly from state to state, these are the main steps you will be required to follow:. Generally, to get the process started you will need to schedule an appointment at your nearest DMV office.

Depending on where you live, you may be able to start the application process online. States will allow you to set up your appointment at the nearest DMV office and submit personal documentation through their online portals.

However, the only state that currently allows for this is California. Although the service is currently available in only 23 offices, the state is hoping to extend the process to the rest of the state.