About Those ID Cards

The United States is finally getting an ID card, and it isn't what you think. Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security announced plans to roll out a plan to issue so-called REAL ID cards. But before you panic, read the details below and find out why this new measure may be just what we need to boost our security.

As the name implies, REAL ID is a driver's license that includes enhanced security measures. If you have a driver's license but aren't sure if it's REAL ID, check the back of your license to see if it says you need it to travel. If so, you're covered. The new cards will include an extra layer of security: newly added technology that embeds information from your credit and debit cards into the card itself, making them easier to track after purchase.

The primary purpose for establishing a national identification card system is for combating terrorism and for making our nation's borders more secure. The REAL ID Act was signed into law in 2005 following recommendations from 9/11 Commission. The REAL ID Act specifies minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards.

REAL ID will make it more difficult for terrorists to hide in the United States by enabling DHS to confirm the identity of individuals seeking to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL) or state identification card and assisting states in detecting identity fraud.

Starting January 1, 2014, every American will need a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification such as a valid passport that meets the requirements of the Act. You will not be able to board commercial flights or enter federal buildings without one. Use it to board domestic flights after October 1, 2020.

I fully understand the concerns that some Americans have about the use of a national identity card as a tool of oppression. But I believe that Congress and the President have made provisions in this Act to minimize these concerns, including prohibiting REAL ID from being used for purposes other than those defined in the Act. I am confident that REAL ID will not become an instrument of oppression, but rather an important anti-terrorism tool for securing our borders.

The fact is we are at war with terrorists and there are those who want to do us harm. Protecting America requires more than just good intentions and prayers. We must provide our law enforcement with the tools they need to protect the American people.

When Congress passed the REAL ID Act, it did so with significant input from those who work to protect our nation's borders--from Border Patrol agents to field intelligence analysts to the air marshals and others who have dedicated their careers to keeping our country safe. Thus far, more than 1,700 state and local officials from across the country have worked in cooperation with DHS in implementing these new requirements. The Department has also received feedback from more than 750 organizations representing every segment of society about REAL ID's impact on them and their communities.

The process of implementing REAL ID has not been without its challenges. But it has been a historic collaboration between state and local governments, with DHS providing technical support and assistance. Even so, there have been some lingering concerns about the impact of this new system on Americans' personal privacy and other civil liberties. In recognition of these concerns, the Act specifies that REAL ID cannot be used for purposes other than those defined in the Act. This language is designed to ensure that American's privacy is protected by prohibiting the use of REAL ID for purposes unrelated to identifying genuine travelers and preventing identity fraud.

As I have mentioned before, federal efforts should not be expected to solve every problem on America's border. Our partners in the State and local communities are best suited to make decisions about providing the services that are needed on their particular jurisdictions. But, I do believe that federal leadership is important because the federal government has unique capabilities and resources that can make a real difference. We have worked hard to ensure that our national security strategy includes substantial investments in state and local partners who share our goal of combating terrorism, helping to secure our borders, and making America's homeland more secure.

I know many Americans have concerns about this proposal, but I am confident that REAL ID will not become an instrument of oppression as some have claimed. Nor will it be used for purposes other than those specified in law. The Act has provisions designed to protect Americans' privacy.

The REAL ID Act of 2005 was enacted in response to recommendations from the 9/11 Commission, which argued that we needed a national identification card that would assist law enforcement and intelligence agencies with foreign and domestic intelligence gathering and counterterrorism. The Commission also noted that America's citizens should have confidence in the security features embedded in this new ID system. In addition, to help ensure the safety of our citizens, REAL ID Act includes provisions prohibiting use of this new verification system for purposes other than those specified by Congress. Congress did not intend for REAL ID to be used as a means to create an all-inclusive government surveillance database containing Americans' fingerprints and personal information.

The REAL ID Act was originally thought to have been included in the Secure Fence Act of 2006, which was passed by Congress in 2006. Unfortunately, language for REAL ID was included in the final bill only after the 9/11 Commission issued its report and the House-passed bill had already been crafted. When Congress returned from recess earlier this year, they added language that would have included provisions concerning State driver's licenses, but this move came too late to include it in that final bill.

To address concerns about how these new requirements will impact our ability to protect our borders and collect intelligence information, I am pleased to announce a series of pilot programs that DHS has initiated or is planning. These pilot programs are designed to assess and become familiar with the new system and its impact on the American public.

The pilots include testing at both land and sea borders; establishing a second layer of screening and identification requirements for low-risk travelers at more than five dozen airports; expanding the use of E-Verify by private employers; expanding ESTA, an Internet-based system that provides information to screen foreign nationals before they arrive in our country, to a number of visa waiver countries; providing air marshals U.S.

Conclusion : For years, a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission has been to facilitate a secure and reliable form of identification for travelers entering the United States. I am proud that DHS has fulfilled this recommendation in partnership with Congress and state governments.

By working together, we have met a goal that is vital to our security and essential to our common future. We have created an identification system that strikes the right balance between preventing terrorists from boarding commercial airplanes or obtaining fraudulent drivers' licenses while ensuring that Americans' civil liberties are protected. The new requirements will take effect on May 11, 2008. This date marks the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States--an event which changed us forever but also compelled us to change for ourselves.