Americans are scrambling to obtain their actual IDs, passports and other federally recognized identifications before the May 7 deadline, so Homeland Security officials have at least told them not to worry about it yet.
At Congressional hearing Tuesday, Homeland Security Secretary Christa Noem told lawmakers that “flight will be permitted” in another form of identification, such as an actual ID or another compliant passport, as long as they submit to additional screenings.
“What happens tomorrow is, people will see through the line… [their ID]」 Noem I said. “If it’s not compliant, they may be diverted to another line and have an extra step, but people are allowed to fly.”
The agency official said Approximately 81% Our travelers already have compliant IDs. If you are eligible for a driver’s license, you will usually have an a Black or Golden Star In the top right corner. Other acceptable forms include a Department of Defense ID, Global Entry Card, Green Card, or Passport.
If travelers show up at airport checkpoints in any of these, they may face delays, but it is not a complete travel ban.
“We’ll make sure it’s as seamless as possible,” Noem said.
The actual ID was originally Set it to be necessary In safe buildings in federal buildings like airports, military bases, courts It starts on Wednesday. The policy, recommended by the 9/11 committee and signed into law in 2005, has been repeatedly postponed and most recently, by former President Joe Biden. Execution deadline Until May 7, 2025, and now there are already signs of clarification.
It’s fair to ask: what’s the point?
No actual ID required drive, Open a bank accountor Vote. And despite years of planning, the development is disrupted.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has a much more urgent aviation issue. Last week, air traffic controllers made easy Radio contact with lost radar The plane headed to Newar Liberty International Airport and was triggered Flight delays and cancellation days.
Beyond that, the Trump administration has no clear plans to fix the installation Air traffic control obstacles other than fingertip In Biden.
The actual ID program also attracted criticism from civil rights groups I’ll warn you Create a de facto national identity system by forcing states to share personal data with the federal government.
On Tuesday, NOEM gave no timeline specifically about when non-compliant IDs would be rejected altogether.
Apply for your actual ID It’s not easy. At the very least, the applicant must provide a full legal name and document that shows the date of birth, proof of address (Via utility invoice or bank statement), and documents that confirm the identity and legal status, such as a birth certificate or passport. For documents that may or may not be needed at the airport from today.
Officials have confirmed that the deployment could cause confusion and slow airport security lines, and the TSA now Recommended Anyone traveling with a standard driver’s license alone can spend extra time passing through the screening.
More bureaucratic red tape, less clarity, yet this is not really a sign of it Makes flight safer.
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