Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) pressed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on the REAL ID requirements being implemented in two weeks.
The new measure would require individuals to provide a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) if they are a non-U.S. citizen in order to obtain a compliant driver’s license. Applicants may also be asked to provide proof of their social security number and proof of residency.
Reed wrote a Thursday letter to the leader urging her to explain how an abrupt change in verifying travelers’ identity would not interrupt services from proceeding effectively.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said around 20 percent of air travelers still use a form of identification that is not compliant with REAL ID requirements, according to the lawmaker.
“Since it seems likely that many travelers will not have a compliant ID by May 7th, please describe how you will ensure that there are not delays at TSA security checkpoints and what steps the TSA is taking to process travelers who arrive at airport security checkpoints without REAL ID compliant identification,” Reed wrote.
Rhode Island’s DMV began offering REAL ID-compliant licenses in 2018, however other states didn’t adopt the policy until two years later.
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to The Hill’s requests for comment on how new requirements may impact travel.
