Washington: U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem clarified on Tuesday that air travelers who do not possess a REAL ID-compliant form of identification will still be permitted to fly but should expect additional screening procedures starting Wednesday.
Speaking during a U.S. House hearing, Noem emphasized the enforcement of REAL ID standards at airport security checkpoints. “If it’s not compliant, they may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step, but people will be allowed to fly,” she said. “This is a security issue.”
Beginning Wednesday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will stop accepting standard state-issued driver’s licenses or identification cards that do not meet REAL ID requirements. Passengers without a compliant ID or valid passport will likely undergo extended screening and may face delays at checkpoints.
Noem also pointed out that 19 states currently issue driver’s licenses to immigrants who are in the country illegally. Enforcing the REAL ID regulations, she warned, would effectively bar such individuals from air travel.
The TSA had previously cautioned in April that passengers lacking a REAL ID-compliant document could potentially be denied access to flights. The agency stated that travelers aged 18 or older who do not carry acceptable identification might not be allowed through security.
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REAL ID is a federal mandate established by Congress in 2005 to standardize the issuance and security features of driver’s licenses and ID cards. It was a key recommendation from the commission formed after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, aimed at tightening national security.
Despite its passage nearly two decades ago, implementation of REAL ID standards has been delayed multiple times. In December 2022, the TSA extended the enforcement deadline to May 2025, giving states and travelers more time to comply.
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According to the TSA, as of last month, 81% of travelers are already presenting REAL ID-compliant documents at airport checkpoints. Starting Wednesday, the same requirements will apply for entry into federal buildings as well.
To ease the transition, the TSA under the Biden administration had previously considered issuing up to three warnings to travelers before denying them access to flights due to non-compliance.
