Homeland Security to press ahead with Real ID

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Friday plans to take the next step in getting its controversial Real ID plan off the ground, despite opposition from numerous states and privacy groups.

At a midday press conference in Washington, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is scheduled to take the wraps off final regulations for the electronic identification card mandate and to make another pitch for the scheme's perceived importance in keeping Americans safe from terrorist threats.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff

(Credit: U.S. Department of Homeland Security)

The new rules, which are a few months behind schedule, are supposed to build on a draft version released last March for public comment.

Chertoff himself has been mum on the details ahead of his public appearance Friday. But according to anonymous sources cited by the Associated Press and The Washington Post, the department has made at least one significant change to its earlier plans: pushing back the deadlines by which the new identification cards will be required to board airplanes and enter federal buildings.

Before, Homeland Security had envisioned requiring the IDs to be in place, starting May 11, 2008--and no later than 2013--unless states had applied for an extension.

But under the new rules, Americans won't be expected to present Real ID-compliant identification cards until 2014. Even then, the mandate will apply only to Americans younger than 50 at the time, in an apparent effort to give some disgruntled state motor vehicle departments more time to issue the licenses. The requirements would be broadened to all Americans by 2017.

"We've worked very closely with the states, in terms of developing a plan that I think will be quite inexpensive, reasonable to implement, and produce the results that...are a part of the core recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, which is secure identification when driver's licenses are presented," Chertoff said Thursday, according to a transcript of his remarks, at a meeting of departmental advisers.

Largely because of the price tag, 17 states have already enacted legislation rejecting the Real ID requirements, which Congress passed as part of an emergency spending bill in 2005, and several others were considering such a step, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, one of the most prominent voices against the plan. But according to the AP and the Post, federal officials have somehow devised a way to reduce the expected $14 billion in costs to states to $3.9 billion under the revised rules.

It's unclear how the department plans to assuage security and privacy concerns about the cards, including whether data encoded on their two-dimensional bar codes will be encrypted to guard against misuse. The AP reported that states will have a "menu" of security options from which to choose but will not be required to embed "microchips"--ostensibly a reference to radio frequency identification, or RFID, technology, which, depending on the type, could be read either from a distance or close-up.

Update: Click here to read our follow-up story, featuring Secretary Chertoff's remarks about the final rules and reactions from state officials, privacy groups, and members of Congress.

[crosstiewalkin]

Gestapo

All of this news about homeland security and Real ID conjures up World II images of the Gestapo, presenting your papers at crossarmed checkpoints, and inevitably Cheech and Chong's latter-day voice on interrogation: "Ve haf vays of making you talk."

[welldoggone]

truth

That is exactly what is happening. HS has riders attached to some bills that would create "checkpoints" for real ID. Before long you will not be able to cross a state line without permisision. Now they are trying to pass a Thought Crimes Bill, you dont have to commit a crime just think it. People better wake up to the agenda right in front of their sleepy eyes or else they gonna find themselve totally oppressed, chipped, imprisoned, or worse and have no idea why.

[VegasIT]

Constitution Falling

I wholeheartedly agree that we are seeing the complete deterioriation of our rights in nearly Biblical proportions. Our Founding Fathers are tossing in their graves. Have we totally forgotten what our country was built on? Why yes we are, because we are revising history too.

Sadly, I am having more thoughts each day about becoming an ex-Patriot. I can see that in 10 years our country will no longer be the best place to live, all rights as we know them will have deteriorated.

[szare]

Freedom

I believe it was Benjamin Franklin who said" those willing to give up any freedom for the false sense of security do not understand what true freedom is."
If we allow our society be changed by terrorists or to threat of terrorism they have already won.

[Renegade Knight]

Interesting

Most people don't want it. Most states don't want it. The odds of it doing any good in the prevention department are about zero.

What's the purpose? This department should walk into the next presidents office and offer to disband itself.

[rcrusoe]

keeping Americans safe from terrorist threats

Want us to believe you are interested in keeping us safe?

CLOSE THE F***ING BORDER!

Until you lock the door everything else is just a dog & pony show
for the gullible.

[mdlap]

RE:

Closing the border?
Yeah... umm.. sure.
Closing the border will definitely 'protect' the U.S from the war agaisnt terrorism.
Didn't you know that terrorism is an ideal and not a physical thing?
Want to fight off Atheism too?

Get your facts straight. Read more. Educate yourself, please.

[JadedGamer]

Closing borders?

You would lose the billions earned from tourism, you would no longer get highly qualified foreign workers but would have to make do with whatever your shambling school system produces, and it would cost billions to PROPERLY enforce a cosed border, in particular with Mexico (since not that many cross illeglly from Canada - but that could change if Mexicans flew to Canada and crossed at the less protected border instead of risking their lives in the southern deserts).

And it would not stop domestic terrorists like the Unabomber and Timothy McVeigh anyway.

So where are the benefits?

[likes2comment]

Will actually make the country insecure

Since everyone will have the same type of id, cloning them, hacking the databases will then be a group effort since there will be one target to hack. And once they have been hacked, how do you fix the problem of identity theft?

My Ohio id's mag strip was accidentally erased by my 'earth magnet'. Doesn't bother me, but people that demand to swipe my license thru a reader generally give up after a couple of attempts.

[mlinder69]

Read ID = Joke

I will destroy the ability to read any card imposed on me by the government, end of story! If you want to look at it for it's pretty picture that is fine but you will never be able to read mine!

[SuburbanDad]

Nothing Doing

Why not tattoo a bar code on our foreheads? I want nothing to do with a National ID card. For that matter, "Homeland Security" sounds like a Nazi-Nanny-State idea. The FBI et al worked perfectly fine before 9/11/01, but Bush43 ignored warning after warning. How about dissolving the Federal government and returning power to the states instead of giving the Feds even more power?

[C0git0]

How can this be a good idea?

Conspiracy theories aside, the purpose of us as Americans is to elect leaders that will protect us, not put us in harms way. Having an ID card similar to the one proposed by Homeland Security opens the door to an infinite number of threats from political abuse, identity theft to market research. There isn't ANY reason why our government needs to know where and when I travel.
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety - Benjamin Franklin

[allen b--2008]

REAL ID is not about the ID

It seems like previous posters don't understand what REAL ID is. It is not a National Identification Card. It is a National Standard for being able to get an Identification Card. The ID must meet certain minimum security specifications, but most states have already implemented those into their current ID's. The biggest cost to the states will be creating a system that will prove you are who you say you are. Currently there are some states where you can go and get a phot ID by bringing in a Social Security card, and 2 pieces of mail addressed to you. I don't think I need to explain how easy this is to get around. Since the government agencies use your photo ID to determine who you are, if you can easily get one under someone else's name, you can be anyone you want. That is the reason for REAL ID.

[welldoggone]

??

If you actualy believe this I have a bridge in the Arizona desert I want to sell ya. Just another example of beliving the crap the govt is selling! Wake up!

[umbrae]

You are Clueless...

Those rules are already in place. REAL ID is about putting all your personal information (Address, Age, SSN, etc.) on a card that is machine readable from a distance (RFID). This mean anyone up to a mile away from you would have access to all your personal information. It also means the government can track your movements pass any sensors they put up.

Seen those black strips in DVD and CD cases? Did you know someone with the right equipment can get an idea of your entire DVD/CD collection from the street outside your house? Imagine the same thing in your pocket.

Sounds like you read law proposals as much as Senators do...

[Schratboy]

Real ID, Real Scary

Knock, Knock! "Who's there?" Big Brother!

What better way for the global elite to control us? They don't even have to lift a finger and they've got a means of tracking us and obtaining everything they want to know...with a swipe.

It's the first step towards implanting everyone with a chip to track and tax us til death.

[BSRadar]

How About Securing Borders First?

More BS. Homeland Security is a big joke. There was an article where one of their high up staff members was hired with a fake diploma! Yeah real secure! How about securing all the other holes like borders and national defense, then maybe you wouldnt have to require REAL ID. Cant the American people see the game that being played on them? Lets wait for next "attack" and then Prez will declare martial law with UN Toops enforcing it (as in American hungry Russian and Chinese soldiers) because hes sending all of ours off to Iran making sure all thats left are senior citizens.

[welldoggone]

Absolutely Right

Your are absolutely right. But we no longer have borders. We already have a national ID called a social cecurity card,. The game goes on and the agenda slowly chips away everything. What is wrong with people, if the govt and media says it it, it is truth... BULLONEY.People better wake up or else they gonna wake one day to find a bunch of black suited heavily armed goons in their house.
Now they are trying to pass a "Thought Crimes" Bill ever seen th eMovie "Minortity Report" if not some better watch it! You dont have to do the crime... just think about it and off you go!

[umbrae]

Wouldn't matter...

All the 911 terrorists were in the US illegally. Secure the borders... fine. However, those that mean harm to the US can just apply legally.

The US government was warned about the US attack but did nothing. If we are smart enough to learn that lesson then we are already better off. Removing personal liberties, or making it harder for legitimate people to get into the US does nothing to protect us.

[lonecrone]

Social Security #s were not to be used as ID

Does anyone remember that? In fact, I remember that being printed on my first SS card back in 1965. It was only to be used by the Social Security Administration to keep track of your benefits. Now, just try to do anything without giving your SS number.

They can say all they want about how it's not really a national ID,and that we won't be expected to present it on demand, but anybody with a memory knows different.

I'm having visions of Nazi Germany and Stalinist USSR.

[3dxtreme]

I'm moving to Canada...

I thought that thas "was" America- I'd rather have a 1000 terrorist than give up any of MY freedoms. Why don't we tattoo bar codes on everyones fore head for a "real id" starting with that idiot Chernoff. I can't wait for the day the idiots at TSA/Homoland Security tell me my papers are not in order.

[mdlap]

Agree

Yeah.. Take me along!

I'm jumping ship before it's too late.
What ever happened to our country? A place where aspirations, freedoms and hopes could actually come true.
This National ID is just a gateway for implanted bar codes in our wrists.
So sad that our government would rather focus on this fake war and kill many innocent patriotic Americans for oil.
What happened to the issue of Health Care? Or making it possible for younger generations to afford a degree?
I'm getting out before my children believe that Britney Spears is a historic icon!

[jc2436]

Re: Moving To Canada

As a native born citizen of Canada, I should warn you that Smart Driver's ID with the embedded security are already being implemented in some of the Canadian provinces, and eventually will be implemented in all. This was a reaction to the U.S. requirement that all persons will have to show their passport to cross the U.S. border. A high tech Drivers License was proposed as an alternative to Canada issuing millions of new passports.

Please do not think that only the U.S. has had to implement higher security requirements. The events of 9/11 affected many countries besides your own.

[aka_tripleB]

It could be just a conspiracy theory

but you might need to move further than Canada to exscape this issure. There are stories on the internet, I know that there are all sorts of fake stories on the net which is why I said theory, about a North American Union. That will join the US, Canada, and Mexico under a single governing body.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Union

So, if your mantra is "Better safe than sorry," you might want to move to somewhere like Belieze or Guam, or where ever.

[umbrae]

911 terrorists had legal IDs

and were in the country legally. RFID only BROADCASTS law abiding citizens personal information to everyone nearby. With proper "receiving" equipment, these could be read a mile or so away.

If RFID passes, I will have an RF jammer in my other pocket.

[mel1145]

What is wrong with a National ID?

Fine for the idiots against it we'll make it an optional thing. Of course you won't get on an airline, travel to Mexico or Canada, etc. So hey, I don't have a problem with it. It's not the same world it was 50 years ago folks! I think everyone should get a passport in this country regardless of whether or not they travel out of the country. Might as well do what the rest of the world has been doing for years. Again, for the sake of the ACLU contingent we'll make it optional, but then they shouldn't cry if they can't travel without one. The only rights I see given up are the rights of the idiots coming over here to do us harm.

[krosavcheg]

9/11 pilots had actual IDs

Now that you know it's a proven fact a national ID won't prevent terrorism, what other reason do you have for this being a "good" thing?

[m.meister]

check you history

Actually, it is the same world it was 50 years ago, just a different
part.

Certain countries required all people to show their "papers" in
order to travel or do business. Sound familiar?

That expanded to the police force being able to ask your papers
at any time and if you did not have them -- you can be arrested.
That will very likely be the next step.

50 years ago, the United States stood up and fought that country.
Now we ARE that country.

It is sad how many are so willing to forgo their rights in the "hope"
of more safety. The fact that we've seen recent "new powers" (also
granted because of fear mongering) abused by the federal gov't
seems to give these people no pause. They seem ready and willing
to be part of a fascist police state in their hope that they will be
safer.

This is how you create a fascist state.

[dkb218]

What wrong with it?

You're right! Let?s just destroy the Constitution and start all over with an Orwell, 1984 type government. How does allowing yourself to be tracked at anytime or place fit into the idea of ?freedom?? Have we become so scared of a made-up boogie-man that we are willing to forgo all that was done to become a so-called free country?

This ?I have nothing to hide so do what you want? mentally has got to be one of the best jobs of brain-washing I?ve ever heard of. The idea that if you have something to hide or not is irrelevant. That fact that you have a right to say no is the point here.

[umbrae]

Real ID is MORE than just a National ID card....

See this:

http://www.unrealid.com/

[USAF Vet Dan]

The right to travel

First, are you an anarchist or do you believe we are a country that respects law? If you believe we need law, then how can you justify the National ID card when it is contrary to the law?

In Shapiro v Thompson, 394 U.S. 618 (1969), Justice Stewart noted in a concurring opinion that "travel is a right broadly assertable against private interference as well as governmental action. Like the right of association, ... it is a virtually unconditional personal right, guaranteed by the Constitution to us all."

The National ID card is interference by way of governmental action.

So, mel1145... you shouldn't be so wreckless when it comes to protecting your rights. If we ignore the law in this instance, the next time it is ignored it may affect you, personally!

[dragonsilk]

overkill...

I am a person of Mexican ancestry... Our governor here in Minnesota has issued an 'executive order' giving local police and State police the right to enforce 'Federal Immigration law'... and now the Nazi's and Fascists in our governments administration wants to push a national ID... "your papers please" rings in my ears. Well kiss democracy officially good-bye! I am an old hippie, and I gotta say this: "We told you so!"

[cirland]

Real ID one step of many

Real ID simply provides for a standard across all States when issuing a Drivers License or Identification Card. Many already have the dreaded "magnetic strip of privacy violations". For those of you talking of Nazi Gestapo and Big Brother you need to WAKE UP. "They" can already do nearly everything you fear. Everything about you is an open book. Identity theft is a major problem in this country because of the current setup for personal identification. Your Social Security Card is already the default "National ID Card" and it is being stolen and abused every single day. We need to secure this country, starting from within. The ACLU is a pathetic joke. We need to secure our borders AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, and I mean yesterday.

[opngate]

Exactly.

You are exactly right, cirland. When I read this article, I wanted to throw up. It really is too late, as far as stopping the decline of our country into a horrible fascist regime. The question remains: What can we do? And if there IS something we can do, who will have the courage to stand up and do it? Will everyone simply fall in line with the same old lame idea that "someone else" will have to act? Horrible. We are living in a nightmare. Hopefully something will be done BEFORE the day when we are barricaded in our homes with rifles, with the lights off, waiting for that knock at the door.

[inachu]

Illegal Aliens will get to use Real ID

Loop holes piled high ontop of more loopholes.

So RealID and Amero coinage.

These are the things to burn in the near future.

[walleyandthebeev]

the mark of the.....????

This is the kind of news that scares the hell out of me. More ID's to counterfiet. Perhaps the State's objection to the cost of this from the can be mitigated by implanting the microchip in our ***** rather on the more expensive card????

[inachu]

One other reason RealId is being pushed.

Police and security minded people will want the ability to scan you from far away without you knowing that your card was scanned.

Already white hat hacker websites are working with a way to foil the ability to scan these cards without your consent.

Prepare to see scanproof wallets and purses in the near future.

[aka_tripleB]

I'm not too concerned about it being scanned without consent

I plan to leave mine in a lead box unless I know I'm going to need it.

[LENEY2005]

PRESS WITH REAL ID`S

I AM FOR IT WAY TO GO TO PROTECT US AMERICANS,
GOOD THINKING HOMELAND SECRITY. WE HAVE MORE TO DO ON THE illegal immigrants,IT`S NO FAIR TO US AMERICANS WE HAVE TO FIGHT WITH ALL OF OUR MIGHT FOR OUR SAFETY.
THANK YOU,
HOMELAND SERCURITY
KEEP UP THE GREAT JOB

[umbrae]

Thank you SPAM BOT!

For your wonderful post... Looks like a post from Homeland Security folks themselves...

[Granddadof7]

I guess if you are over 50, your REAL?

So, I am 62 and am a REAL person now?
I told my wife and others about this over 10 years ago. She says I'm dreaming. Dreams to become REAL....
I do not like it at all. I can not stress how I feel about this. Should we all get State Passports now?
Maybe the USSR really had the right idea, keep them stupid and under thumb?

No, I really love America and have served for it and lived in it all of my life. Sure is sad to see this day come.

God Bless us one and all (while I can still say that) and good luck.

John in New Hampshire