Can't Protect Itself
THE REAL ID ACT
The Real ID Act of 2005 was pushed through Congress as an attachment to appropriations legislation for the war in Iraq and Tsunami relief (P.L. 109-13) on May 11, 2005. It essentially creates a national ID that will be required to enter federal buildings, board airplanes, open a bank account, and to conduct other federal business.
Real ID imposes a great burden on state governments: in Virginia alone, it is estimated that it will cost over $60 million to implement Real ID. There are also privacy concerns with the collection, storage, and sharing of personal data, and burdensome procedures for state agencies that will make obtaining a license more difficult and time-consuming for applicants.
The Real ID Act in Virginia...
Bush Administration's Final Real ID Regulations Still Fail the Grade, ACLU Scorecard Shows, January 17, 2008
Real ID Regulations Fact Sheet
ACLU Scorecard
National ID Entering Through Back Door of Immigration Bill, June 19, 2007
DHS Release of Regulations Prompts ACLU to Ask Governor to Reconvene Real ID Task Force, March 1, 2007
Letter to Governor Kaine Re: Real ID
Two Recent Studies Reveal Virginia Officials' Concerns about Federal Driver's License Law, January 12, 2006
Click here to read the Report of Governor Warner's Task Force on Real ID, Dec. 29, 2005
Click here to read Virginia officials' response to National Survey of Motor Vehicle Administrators
The Real ID Act Across the Country...
Click here for the full text of the REAL ID Act of 2005