I reported last week that Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, refused to say she would announce an extension of the present waivers for states that have not complied with the Real ID Act. Without an extension of these waivers, Americans from perhaps 36 different states would not be able to enter federal buildings or fly because their ID didn’t meet national specifications.
My word from Washington is: “Don’t worry.”
After speaking with experts at an FTC roundtable on privacy yesterday, the word on the street is that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said immediately following last week’s committee hearing that they will extend the waiver if they have to.
Though the Secretary of Homeland Security is playing chicken shamelessly with the American people in her attempt to get another flawed law — PASS ID — passed before the end of the year to replace the failing REAL ID, there is no way that DHS would disrupt the transportation system with an attempt to enforce REAL ID rules at the start of the new year.
I already have added a note to the end of my previous post, however, continued questions indicated that I should make this admission of continuing the waivers a post of its own.
Travel in peace.
Also, for those who asked what states were still in various forms of non-compliance with the REAL ID Act, here is a list I have compiled from various reports. I have not found a comprehensive list.
Alaska
Arkansas
Arizona
Colorado
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Kansas
Louisiana
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
If any readers know of states that should be added to this list or that should be removed, please let me know.
Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has been working in Washington, DC, for the past 14 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.
