DHS Extends States’ REAL ID Deadline

The Department of Homeland Security has given states an additional six weeks to request an extension to implement toughened drivers’ licenses and identification card security standards mandated by the REAL ID Act of 2005.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has extended the deadline to give Congress time to consider alternative legislation known as PASS ID that would be less costly, burdensome and controversial to implement.

“REAL ID has put DHS, the states and the traveling public on a collision course, and Congress must act fast to fix it,” said DHS spokesman Matthew Chandler.

While Chandler said that Napolitano opposes implementation of REAL ID and is working to support the “Providing for Additional Security in States’ Identification Act of 2009” or PASS ID, she is at the same time bound to enforce the existing REAL ID federal law.