Latest news with #JohnEssig
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Don't have a REAL ID yet? Here's what happens after May 7 and how to avoid it
The deadline to get a REAL ID is almost here, after nearly two decades of postponements and delays. FILE - This is a sample of what a REAL ID looks like.(Kansas Department of Revenue via AP) While it was initially said that you would not be able to fly domestically without a REAL ID or other TSA-approved form of identification once the May 7 deadline hits, the head of Homeland Security said Tuesday that travelers will still be able to fly, but should be prepared for additional steps at TSA. If you still don't have your REAL ID and are confused about how to get one, or are wondering why you even need one in the first place, here are some things to know: What is a REAL ID? It's a federally compliant state-issued license or identification card that the DHS says is a more secure form of identification. That's because getting a REAL ID requires more personal documentation than what's required to obtain a regular license. Besides needing a REAL ID to fly domestically, you will also need one to access certain federal buildings and facilities. Why is this happening? When the REAL ID Act was signed into law in 2005, it enacted a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission that the government set security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and IDs. 'REAL ID is a coordinated effort by the federal government to improve the reliability and accuracy of driver's licenses and identification cards,' John Essig, the Transportation Security Administration's Security Director for airports in the New York City region said in a press release on April 3. 'The improvements are intended to inhibit terrorists' ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification.' The REAL ID Act was supposed to begin rolling out in 2008, 'but has faced repeated delays due to state implementation challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic,' said Nina Ruggiero, senior editorial director for Travel Leisure. 'The combination of varying state processes and shifting deadlines has added to the overall confusion around REAL IDs and likely led some travelers to take the deadlines less seriously.' How do I know if I already have a REAL ID? If you've gotten a new ID in the last few years, it could already be REAL ID-compliant. 'I also hear from travelers who are confused as to whether or not they already have a REAL ID,' Ruggiero said. 'Some people who have recently renewed their license may already have a compliant ID and not know it,' so you may want to double-check yours before starting the process. A REAL ID-compliant driver's license has a symbol ( in most states, a star ) in the top corner of the card. If you live in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont or Washington, it's possible you could have an 'enhanced″ ID card instead, which permits you to both fly domestically and cross land and sea borders into Mexico and Canada from the US. It does not, however, allow you to fly into either of those countries. Enhanced IDs will have an American flag icon, as well as the word 'enhanced' at the top of the card. If I don't have a REAL ID, how do I get one? The requirements vary by state, so you will need to visit the website of your state's driver's licensing agency to find out the specific steps, including whether you'll need to make an appointment at a DMV and what documentation you'll need when you get there. What happens on May 7? What if I don't have a REAL ID by then? Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Tuesday that those who still lack an identification that complies with the REAL ID law 'may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step." Noem also said that security checkpoints will be accepting passports and tribal identification when the deadline hits Wednesday in place of a REAL ID. 'But people will be allowed to fly,' she said. 'We will make sure it's as seamless as possible.' The deadline has already been pushed back so many times. Could it be delayed again? In mid-April, a group of state senators from Kentucky asked the agency to delay implementing the new requirements yet again. They said the state has limited appointments available to people seeking the new cards and that there has been a rush to meet the May 7 deadline. However, TSA spokesperson Dan Velez told the AP that the agency does not intend to delay the REAL ID deadline again. As of late April, 81% of travelers at TSA checkpoints were presenting acceptable identification, including a state-issued REAL ID, according to DHS.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
REAL ID becomes mandatory Wednesday— Here's what you need to know
The nation's long-awaited REAL ID requirement goes into effect Wednesday. That means anyone wishing to fly domestically will need a federally compliant state-issued identification card or a valid passport. Entry to some federal building will also require driver licenses, learner permit or non-driver ID meeting the new requirements deemed more secure by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 'If your New York State license or ID does not have a star or a flag on it, then you do not have a REAL ID-compliant document,' according to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which began issuing the cards in March 2022. Some New Yorkers may already have an Enhanced ID. Older qualifying identification cards have a U.S. flag on the lower right-hand corner while more recently issued cards have one in the upper-right hand corner. The state has offered Enhanced IDs since 2008. They are REAL ID compliant. A REAL ID-compliant card is not required to drive, vote, apply for federal benefits, participate in legal proceedings or access health care services in New York. New Yorkers wishing to obtain a REAL ID card must do so at the DMV. Documents proving U.S. citizenship are required. That includes proof of identity such as a U.S. birth certificate or passport, two proofs of New York residency and a verifiable social security number. Non-U.S. citizens should be able to prove legal presence. Travelers carrying a standard license after Tuesday can expect delays. They could also be subject to additional screening or possibly turned away, the TSA warns. New Yorkers will not be able to access a U.S. military base with only a standard driver's license or state ID after the Wednesday deadline. The REAL ID Act was signed into law in 2005 based on a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission to enhance national security. The cards were expected to roll out nationally in 2008, but encountered several political challenges and logistical setbacks over the years, in addition to delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. State senators from Kentucky last month asked the federal deadline for compliance be extended just a bit longer so their motor vehicles division could get up to speed. The TSA says 81% of travelers at its checkpoints have presented acceptable identification including REAL ID cards to board flights. 'The improvements are intended to inhibit terrorists' ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification,' TSA's Federal Security Director for airports in the New York City region John Essig explained in a statement last week. Air travel has become especially complicated in 2025, particularly at Newark International Airport, which has faced significant delays over the past week. Hundreds of flights have been delayed or canceled there, largely due to Federal Aviation Association staffing issues and equipment problems. United Airlines, that airport's largest carrier, recently cut 35 roundtrip flights from its Newark schedule. Tensions abroad may also contribute to increased security-related diligence at U.S. airports, government building and military installations. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem told FOX News the 'safety law' going into effect this week 'allows us to know who's on our federally regulated aircrafts.' She also claimed over the weekend that 19 states issue driver's licenses to non-citizens, which she believes threatens election security. There are significant consequences for people who vote illegally and data indicates that's an extremely low occurrence. 'Real IDs make identification harder to forge, thwarting criminals and terrorists,' she posted on social media. With News Wire Services
Toronto Star
05-05-2025
- Toronto Star
Don't have a REAL ID yet? That could cause you travel headaches after May 7
NEW YORK (AP) — The deadline to get a REAL ID is fast approaching after years of postponements and delays. Starting May 7, your license or identification card will need to be REAL ID-compliant to fly domestically in the U.S. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like there will be another delay in the deadline this time. So, if you're confused about how to get a REAL ID, why you even need one in the first place, and what happens if you don't have one by May 7, here are some things to know: ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW What is a REAL ID? It's a federally compliant state-issued license or identification card that the DHS says is a more secure form of identification. Besides needing a REAL ID to fly domestically, you will also need one to access certain federal buildings and facilities. Why is this happening? When the REAL ID Act was signed into law in 2005, it enacted a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission that the government set security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and IDs. 'REAL ID is a coordinated effort by the federal government to improve the reliability and accuracy of driver's licenses and identification cards,' John Essig, the Transportation Security Administration's Security Director for airports in the New York City region said in a press release on April 3. 'The improvements are intended to inhibit terrorists' ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification.' The REAL ID Act was supposed to begin rolling out in 2008, 'but has faced repeated delays due to state implementation challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic,' said Nina Ruggiero, senior editorial director for Travel + Leisure. 'The combination of varying state processes and shifting deadlines has added to the overall confusion around REAL IDs and likely led some travelers to take the deadlines less seriously.' How do I know if I already have a REAL ID? If you've gotten a new ID in the last few years, it could already be REAL ID-compliant. 'I also hear from travelers who are confused as to whether or not they already have a REAL ID,' Ruggiero said. 'Some people who have recently renewed their license may already have a compliant ID and not know it,' so you may want to double-check yours before starting the process. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW A REAL ID-compliant driver's license has a symbol ( in most states, a star) in the top corner of the card. If you live in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont or Washington, it's possible you could have an 'enhanced″ ID card instead, which permits you to both fly domestically and cross land and sea borders into Mexico and Canada from the U.S. It does not, however, allow you to fly into either of those countries. Enhanced IDs will have an American flag icon, as well as the word 'enhanced' at the top of the card. If I don't have a REAL ID, how do I get one? The requirements vary by state, so you will need to visit the website of your state's driver's licensing agency to find out the specific steps, including whether you'll need to make an appointment at a DMV and what documentation you'll need when you get there. What happens on May 7? What if I don't have a REAL ID by then? If you don't have a REAL ID by the deadline and you're planning to board a domestic flight, you will need to bring your passport or another TSA-approved form of identification when you travel. Otherwise, you could face 'delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint,' warns TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The deadline has already been pushed back so many times. Could it be delayed again? In mid-April, a group of state senators from Kentucky asked the agency to delay implementing the new requirements yet again. They said the state has limited appointments available to people seeking the new cards and that there has been a rush to meet the May 7 deadline. However, TSA spokesperson Dan Velez told the AP that the agency does not intend to delay the REAL ID deadline again. As of late April, 81% of travelers at TSA checkpoints were presenting acceptable identification, including a state-issued REAL ID, according to DHS.
Winnipeg Free Press
05-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Don't have a REAL ID yet? That could cause you travel headaches after May 7
NEW YORK (AP) — The deadline to get a REAL ID is fast approaching after years of postponements and delays. Starting May 7, your license or identification card will need to be REAL ID-compliant to fly domestically in the U.S. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like there will be another delay in the deadline this time. So, if you're confused about how to get a REAL ID, why you even need one in the first place, and what happens if you don't have one by May 7, here are some things to know: What is a REAL ID? It's a federally compliant state-issued license or identification card that the DHS says is a more secure form of identification. Besides needing a REAL ID to fly domestically, you will also need one to access certain federal buildings and facilities. Why is this happening? When the REAL ID Act was signed into law in 2005, it enacted a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission that the government set security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and IDs. 'REAL ID is a coordinated effort by the federal government to improve the reliability and accuracy of driver's licenses and identification cards,' John Essig, the Transportation Security Administration's Security Director for airports in the New York City region said in a press release on April 3. 'The improvements are intended to inhibit terrorists' ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification.' The REAL ID Act was supposed to begin rolling out in 2008, 'but has faced repeated delays due to state implementation challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic,' said Nina Ruggiero, senior editorial director for Travel + Leisure. 'The combination of varying state processes and shifting deadlines has added to the overall confusion around REAL IDs and likely led some travelers to take the deadlines less seriously.' How do I know if I already have a REAL ID? If you've gotten a new ID in the last few years, it could already be REAL ID-compliant. 'I also hear from travelers who are confused as to whether or not they already have a REAL ID,' Ruggiero said. 'Some people who have recently renewed their license may already have a compliant ID and not know it,' so you may want to double-check yours before starting the process. A REAL ID-compliant driver's license has a symbol ( in most states, a star ) in the top corner of the card. If you live in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont or Washington, it's possible you could have an 'enhanced″ ID card instead, which permits you to both fly domestically and cross land and sea borders into Mexico and Canada from the U.S. It does not, however, allow you to fly into either of those countries. Enhanced IDs will have an American flag icon, as well as the word 'enhanced' at the top of the card. If I don't have a REAL ID, how do I get one? The requirements vary by state, so you will need to visit the website of your state's driver's licensing agency to find out the specific steps, including whether you'll need to make an appointment at a DMV and what documentation you'll need when you get there. What happens on May 7? What if I don't have a REAL ID by then? If you don't have a REAL ID by the deadline and you're planning to board a domestic flight, you will need to bring your passport or another TSA-approved form of identification when you travel. Otherwise, you could face 'delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint,' warns TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein. The deadline has already been pushed back so many times. Could it be delayed again? In mid-April, a group of state senators from Kentucky asked the agency to delay implementing the new requirements yet again. They said the state has limited appointments available to people seeking the new cards and that there has been a rush to meet the May 7 deadline. However, TSA spokesperson Dan Velez told the AP that the agency does not intend to delay the REAL ID deadline again. As of late April, 81% of travelers at TSA checkpoints were presenting acceptable identification, including a state-issued REAL ID, according to DHS.
NDTV
05-05-2025
- NDTV
What's A US Real ID, How To Get One As Deadline Looms
New York, US: The deadline to get a REAL ID is fast approaching after years of postponements and delays. Starting May 7, your license or identification card will need to be REAL ID-compliant to fly domestically in the U.S. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like there will be another delay in the deadline this time. So, if you're confused about how to get a REAL ID, why you even need one in the first place, and what happens if you don't have one by May 7, here are some things to know: What is a REAL ID? It's a federally compliant state-issued license or identification card that the DHS says is a more secure form of identification. Besides needing a REAL ID to fly domestically, you will also need one to access certain federal buildings and facilities. Why is this happening? When the REAL ID Act was signed into law in 2005, it enacted a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission that the government set security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and IDs. "REAL ID is a coordinated effort by the federal government to improve the reliability and accuracy of driver's licenses and identification cards," John Essig, the Transportation Security Administration's Security Director for airports in the New York City region said in a press release on April 3. "The improvements are intended to inhibit terrorists' ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification." The REAL ID Act was supposed to begin rolling out in 2008, "but has faced repeated delays due to state implementation challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic," said Nina Ruggiero, senior editorial director for Travel + Leisure. "The combination of varying state processes and shifting deadlines has added to the overall confusion around REAL IDs and likely led some travelers to take the deadlines less seriously." How do I know if I already have a REAL ID? If you've gotten a new ID in the last few years, it could already be REAL ID-compliant. "I also hear from travelers who are confused as to whether or not they already have a REAL ID," Ruggiero said. "Some people who have recently renewed their license may already have a compliant ID and not know it," so you may want to double-check yours before starting the process. A REAL ID-compliant driver's license has a symbol ( in most states, a star ) in the top corner of the card. If you live in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont or Washington, it's possible you could have an "enhanced″ ID card instead, which permits you to cross land and sea borders into Mexico and Canada from the U.S. It does not, however, allow you to fly into either of those countries. Enhanced IDs will have an American flag icon, as well as the word "enhanced" at the top of the card. If I don't have a REAL ID, how do I get one? The requirements vary by state, so you will need to visit the website of your state's driver's licensing agency to find out the specific steps, including whether you'll need to make an appointment at a DMV and what documentation you'll need when you get there. What happens on May 7? What if I don't have a REAL ID by then? If you don't have a REAL ID by the deadline and you're planning to board a domestic flight, you will need to bring your passport or another TSA-approved form of identification when you travel. Otherwise, you could face "delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint," warns TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein. The deadline has already been pushed back so many times. Could it be delayed again? In mid-April, a group of state senators from Kentucky asked the agency to delay implementing the new requirements yet again. They said the state has limited appointments available to people seeking the new cards and that there has been a rush to meet the May 7 deadline. However, TSA spokesperson Dan Velez told the AP that the agency does not intend to delay the REAL ID deadline again. As of late April, 81% of travelers at TSA checkpoints were presenting acceptable identification, including a state-issued REAL ID, according to DHS.
