Enforcement of the national U.S. Real ID Act begins May 7, about 20 years after it was passed, and there could be delays at airports beginning tomorrow.
Still, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told a congressional panel Tuesday that travelers who do not have a Real ID still will be able to fly but should be prepared for extra screening.
"But people will be allowed to fly," Noem said, according to the Associated Press. "We will make sure it’s as seamless as possible."
In April, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration said that about 81 percent of passengers at airport checkpoints already were using state-issued Real ID or other forms of acceptable identification. That means nearly one in five people still were not.
"If you're flying within the U.S. & do not have a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID (like a passport or military ID) you may be subject to additional screening. Plan ahead, arrive early, and arrive prepared," TSA posted Tuesday on its X account.
Enforcement initially was set for 2008, but significant state opposition delayed the deadline to Oct. 1, 2021, then May 3, 2023, because of the Covid-19 pandemic and a reported lack of state-by-state readiness as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. By December 2022, DHS again delayed the rollout to May 7, 2025.
TSA finalized the May 7 deadline in January and reaffirmed it on April 14.
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