The Real ID act has been around for more than a decade, but some of its significant deadlines are just now bearing down on Alaskans. They include your ability to enter federal facilities and military bases by this June, and by next January, your ability to fly on commercial aircraft.
The Real ID act became law in 2005 and sets standards for state driver’s licenses and identity documents to make them acceptable to the federal government for “official purposes.” The Secretary of Homeland Security decides what those official purposes are.
The law has four phases, but it is phase four, upon us now, that requires the compliant Real ID to enter federal facilities and to fly commercially.
Are you ready for this? What do you need to know? And what do you need to do?
That’s the topic of our next Hometown Alaska. We’ll bring you up to speed on two bills submitted by Governor Bill Walker to bring Alaska into compliance with Real ID. Significantly, the bills let Alaskans choose a compliant or a non-complaint driver’s license or ID card, and they repeal a 2008 Alaska statute that made it illegal to spend any state money to implement Real ID.
Tensions around Real ID persist. Critics worry that it is a privacy-violating national ID card system and that a new database will make personal information more easy to hack. Immigration advocates argue the law’s requirements will make it harder for legal asylum seekers to achieve safe haven in the U.S. Others say the act is an unfunded federal mandate that will cost the states millions. And then there is the concern that it will lead to more expense and inconvenience for citizens.
Proponents argue that the act is necessary to prevent issuing fraudulent driver’s licenses or ID cards, leading to more safety for the American public.
What do you think? Find out what’s happening. Bring your questions and concerns.
HOST: Kathleen McCoy
GUESTS:
- Marla Thompson, director, Alaska DMV
- Amy Johnson, deputy director, Alaska DMV
LINKS:
- Alaska DMV Real ID information, AK DMV website
- Reluctant to comply with Real ID, Alaska faces possible barrier to flying, Alaska Public Media website
- Governor Walker’s announcement, AK state website
- HB 74, Legislative website
- SB 34, Legislative website
- Real ID concerns, www.aclu.org
- Former DHS secretary Jeh Johnson on phase four, DHS
- Real ID FAQ page, DHS
- Minimum requirements for Real ID-compliance, page 82, PL 109-13
- Controversy and Opposition to Real ID, Wikipedia
PARTICIPATE:
- Call 550-8433 (Anchorage) or 1-888-353-5752 (statewide) during the live broadcast (2:00 – 3:00pm)
- Send email to hometown@alaskapublic.org before, during or after the live broadcast (e-mails may be read on air) hometown@alaskapublic.org
- Post your comment or question below (comments may be read on air)
LIVE BROADCAST: Wednesday, February 22, 2017, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. (Alaska time)
REPEAT BROADCAST: Wednesday, February 22, 2017, 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. (Alaska time)
SUBSCRIBE: Get Hometown, Alaska updates automatically — via email, RSS or podcasts.
