Latest news with #RealIDs
Axios
20-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
A challenging Real ID process is stranding immigrants
Some immigrants living here legally are struggling to get Real IDs as the federal government slows the processing of green cards and removes some refugee statuses. Why it matters: As of May 7, Real IDs (or passports) are required to board commercial flights. Those in the U.S. without those documents are now stuck. Refugees and asylum seekers aren't required to have a passport, and many don't have travel documents because of the way they fled their countries. Between the lines: Real ID concerns come as many immigrants — and some of their attorneys — are being told to leave the country even if they are here legally. What we're hearing: Community Refugee & Immigration Services clients are arriving to Ohio BMVs with documents that prove their legal status in the country in an effort to attain Real IDs, only to be turned away, staff attorney Vincent Wells tells Axios. For many, issues begin with the requirement for immigrants to show the BMV a work authorization card proving full legal name and date of birth. But asylum seekers and refugees don't need that document to work — they " are authorized to work indefinitely because their immigration status does not expire." "The federal government was issuing these to make it easier for employers to understand their status," Wells says. "If I have a refugee coming in to my office with an expired work authorization card, the first thing I say is, 'Good news: You don't need a work authorization card to work.'" The fine print: Even if an immigrant does have their work authorization card, that's not enough to prove legal presence in the U.S. — one of several elements of identification required by the Ohio BMV. Immigrants also need the original approval notice for that card. But some never got the card and some who did may not have known the importance of keeping the approval notice. "My clients will show up with an unexpired work authorization card and an unrestricted social security card, and [the BMV] will say, 'We can't issue a Real ID because you don't have the approval notice," Wells says. State of play: The Ohio BMV is also required to verify immigration status with federal databases, spokesperson Lindsey Bohrer tells us, and that can sometimes "take longer" and require a wait "for a response from the appropriate federal agency." The big picture: The process isn't just difficult for immigrants. It's also putting unnecessary stress on federal administrative systems. Normally, a green card would eventually replace work authorization and allow them to get an ID. But green cards aren't being processed, so attorneys like Wells have to file for otherwise superfluous work authorization cards. "It's just an incredibly inefficient process … to apply for unnecessary work documents being processed at the cost of the federal government."
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
The Real ID deadline is here. What you need to board your next flight
The long-awaited Real ID deadline is finally here but those without the federal identification may still be able to board their flights. Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem said Tuesday that fliers without their Real IDs will "have an extra step" but will ultimately be permitted to fly for now. While things have reportedly been going smoothly at airports throughout this morning, passengers are still encouraged to pad their travel time in case of delays. Here's what you need to know: The Real ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 to establish minimum security standards for state-issued identification cards and driver's licenses. It's designed to help prevent fraudulent identification, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The Real ID is not mandatory for Pennsylvania residents but you will now need federal identification to board domestic flights and enter federal facilities. There's still plenty of time to get a Real ID in Pennsylvania as the state will continue processing applications for the foreseeable future. PennDOT is also holding another Real ID day on May 12 to process as many applications as possible. You will need to produce several other pieces of identification, including proof of citizenship, proof of residency and valid Social Security Number when applying for a Real ID. A checklist for all of the documentation required to obtain a Real ID is available on the PennDOT website. When you apply for the Real ID, you must pay the license renewal fee in addition to $30 for the Real ID. It costs $39.50 to renew a four-year non-commercial license and $42.50 for a photo ID, according to PennDOT. You'll then be issued a Real ID with an additional four years added onto the expiration date that was listed on your drivers license. Lacey Latch is the development reporter for the Bucks County Courier Times and The Intelligencer. She can be reached at LLatch@ This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Real ID deadline is here. What to know before heading to the airport
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Still need a Real ID in Pennsylvania? Here's where to get a Pennsylvania Real ID May 19
If you still need to obtain Real ID in Pennsylvania, your next best chance to get one is Monday, May 19. Here's how you can get a Real ID in Pennsylvania on Monday. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will reserve several locations across the state on Monday, May 19, for individuals in the state who still need to obtain a Real ID. "To meet continued demand for Real ID, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will open its 15 Real ID centers on Monday, May 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. for Real ID services," read an e-mail from PennDOT. "These 15 locations can process and issue Real IDs over the counter. "Now that the federal Real ID Act is in effect, residents have continued showing strong interest, with over 7,000 people getting their Real IDs during the last event." Here are the 15 Real ID centers in Pennsylvania: Altoona: 1738A 9th Avenue Beaver Falls: Chippewa Plaza, 2580 Constitution Boulevard Bridgeville: 1025 Washington Pike Erie: Summit Towne Center, 7200 Peach Street Exeter: 4375 Perkiomen Ave., Reading Jeannette: 1100 Lowry Avenue King of Prussia: 146 S. Gulph Road Lancaster: 2090 Lincoln Highway East Norristown: 1700 Markley St., Suite 30 Rockview: 812 W. College Ave., Pleasant Gap Philadelphia: 2904 S. 70th St., Unit 8 Summerdale: 429 N. Enola Rd., Enola Whitehall: 1101 MacArthur Rd., Allentown Wilkes-Barre: 1085 Hanover Street Williamsport: 1782 E. Third Steet Obtaining a Real ID is generally optional, but you will need a Real ID for most circumstances that require identification, particularly flying without a passport. Unsure if you need a Real ID in Pennsylvania? You can access the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's online Real ID questionnaire to find out if Real ID is right for you. As of Wednesday, May 7, a Real ID or another form of federally acceptable identification, such as a valid passport or military ID,is required to board domestic commercial flights, enter military bases and certain federal facilities that require a federally acceptable form of ID. A passport is still needed for international travel. Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Still need a PA Real ID? Here's how to get a REAL ID on Monday, May 19
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Still need a Real ID in Pennsylvania? Here's how to get a Pennsylvania Real ID on Monday
If you still need to obtain Real ID in Pennsylvania, your next best chance to get one is Monday, May 19. Here's how you can get a Real ID in Pennsylvania on Monday. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will reserve several locations across the state on Monday, May 19, for individuals in the state who still need to obtain a Real ID. "To meet continued demand for Real ID, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will open its 15 Real ID centers on Monday, May 19 from 8:30 am to 4:15 pm to for Real ID services," read an e-mail from PennDOT. "These 15 locations can process and issue Real IDs over the counter. "Now that the federal Real ID Act is in effect, residents have continued showing strong interest, with over 7,000 people getting their Real IDs during the last event." Here are the 15 Real ID centers in Pennsylvania: Altoona: 1738A 9th Avenue Beaver Falls: Chippewa Plaza, 2580 Constitution Boulevard Bridgeville: 1025 Washington Pike Erie: Summit Towne Center, 7200 Peach Street Exeter: 4375 Perkiomen Ave., Reading Jeannette: 1100 Lowry Avenue King of Prussia: 146 S. Gulph Road Lancaster: 2090 Lincoln Highway East Norristown: 1700 Markley St., Suite 30 Rockview: 812 W. College Ave., Pleasant Gap Philadelphia: 2904 S. 70th St., Unit 8 Summerdale: 429 N. Enola Rd., Enola Whitehall: 1101 MacArthur Rd., Allentown Wilkes-Barre: 1085 Hanover Street Williamsport: 1782 E. Third Steet Obtaining a Real ID is generally optional, but you will need a Real ID for most circumstances that require identification, particularly flying without a passport. Unsure if you need a Real ID in Pennsylvania? You can access the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's online Real ID questionnaire to find out if Real ID is right for you. As of Wednesday, May 7, a Real ID or another form of federally acceptable identification, such as a valid passport or military ID, will be required to board domestic commercial flights, enter military bases and certain federal facilities that require a federally acceptable form of ID. A passport is still needed for international travel. Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Still need a PA Real ID? Here's how to get a REAL ID on Monday, May 19
Axios
15-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Real ID rules aren't holding up travelers, XNA says
Northwest Arkansas National Airport is seeing "minimal" passengers not in compliance with newly enforced identification rules, spokesperson Olivia Tyler told Axios. Catch up quick: The federal government set a hard deadline of May 7 for when airports must require enhanced identification like a Real ID, passport or military ID card to board a domestic flight when a standard drivers license or state ID previously sufficed. But on May 6, the Department of Homeland Security announced those not in compliance would still be able to fly after undergoing extra steps to verify their identities with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). State of play: XNA has a contractor asking travelers at the security checkpoint if they have a Real ID, passport or military ID and directing them to TSA if they do not have those forms of ID, Tyler said. Overall, it's going smoothly and the airport is not seeing lines backed up because of the new rules, she said. The latest: Arkansas has issued about 39,000 Real IDs in the past week, bringing the total of active Real IDs in the state to 901,531, Scott Hardin, spokesperson for the state's department of finance and administration, told Axios. "We have remained in contact with our vendor that prints the REAL ID cards. We reached capacity in our inventory at a couple of offices last week and had to direct customers to nearby offices," Hardin said in an email. "However, we refreshed that inventory the following day."
