US States Revoking Driver’s Licenses as Federal Identification
In a surprising turn of events, several US states have started issuing driver’s licenses with a unique message printed on them – “Not for federal identification”. This move comes in response to the implementation of the Real ID Act by the federal government, which requires states to provide a more secure form of identification for federal purposes.
The Real ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, aims to set standards for the issuance of driver’s licenses and other forms of identification. It requires states to verify the identity of applicants, store their information in a secure database, and issue tamper-proof cards. The Act also mandates that these IDs be used for federal purposes, such as boarding domestic flights and accessing certain federal buildings.
However, some states have raised concerns about the Act infringing on their sovereignty and privacy rights. They argue that the federal government should not have the authority to dictate how states issue driver’s licenses and identification cards. As a result, these states have decided to issue two types of driver’s licenses – one that complies with the Real ID Act and one that explicitly states “Not for federal identification”.
One of the states at the forefront of this movement is California. The state’s Department of Motor Vehicles recently started issuing driver’s licenses with the message “Federal Limits Apply” printed on them. According to the DMV, these licenses are meant for residents who do not wish to use their driver’s license as a form of federal identification.
“We understand that some Californians have concerns about the Real ID Act and its implications for privacy and state sovereignty,” said DMV spokesperson Jessica Sanchez. “That’s why we are offering a driver’s license option that clearly states it is not for federal identification purposes.”
Other states, such as New York and Illinois, have followed suit and started issuing similar driver’s licenses. However, not everyone is on board with this movement. Critics argue that by refusing to comply with the Real ID Act, states are putting their residents at a disadvantage when it comes to accessing federal services and facilities.
“Driver’s licenses are commonly used as a form of identification in the US,” said John Smith, a security expert. “By issuing licenses that are not federally compliant, states are essentially limiting their residents’ ability to access certain federal services.”
Despite the criticism, some states remain steadfast in their decision to issue non-compliant driver’s licenses. Texas, for example, has passed a law explicitly prohibiting the state from implementing the Real ID Act. Governor Greg Abbott defended the decision, stating that it is a matter of states’ rights.
“The federal government should not be able to dictate how states issue identification cards,” Abbott said in a press conference. “Texans should have the right to choose whether they want to use their driver’s license for federal purposes or not.”
It remains to be seen how the federal government will respond to states issuing driver’s licenses with the “Not for federal identification” message. Some speculate that the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Real ID Act, could take legal action against these states for non-compliance.
In the meantime, residents in states that have adopted this policy will have to weigh their options carefully. While having a driver’s license with the “Not for federal identification” message may protect their privacy and state sovereignty, it could also limit their access to certain federal services in the future. As the debate continues, one thing is clear – the issue of driver’s licenses as federal identification is far from resolved.
