Read ID Real Soon

[Jeff Green]

Folks,

Federal law requires the States provide every resident with a new ID card and maintain a database of these cards which will be accessible to not only the Feds, but pretty much to anyone with a barcode reader.

The idea is to make you feel safer and free from worry about those pesky Canadians that lurk pretty much everywhere.

The States are free to not participate in the program but that will mean they will be required to place on the front of any card they issue as ID (your driver's license, for example), "in bold letters", that the card is not acceptable to the Department of Homeland Security and bearers of that card will not be able to access Federal buildings or travel by air beginning on May 11, 2008 though, because the job is so massive, the Feds have extended the deadline until May 11, 2013. Nice guys.

From the Feds: Definition of “official purpose” Section 201(3) of the Act provides that the term “official purpose” “includes but is not limited to accessing Federal facilities, boarding Federally-regulated commercial aircraft, entering nuclear power plants, and any other purposes that the Secretary shall determine.” DHS proposes to limit the regulatory definition of “official purpose,” at this time, to those purposes expressly stated in the Act – accessing Federal facilities, boarding commercial aircraft, and entering nuclear power plants. DHS, under the discretionary authority granted to the Secretary of Homeland Security under the Act, may expand this definition in the future. DHS seeks comment on the proposed scope of “official purpose,” and how DHS could expand this definition to other federal activities.

Now, I know so many of you spend your summer vacations traveling to nuclear power plants that all this just makes sense but, note the italics. The Feds can change their mind - at any time - and add virtually anything to the list.

The card must include your name, home address and other personal information on the front and a machine readable barcode on the back. There's talk of built-in radio tags as well so we'll always know where you are at any given time. And while it's not in the original legislation, Homeland Security is considering a standard format for these new ID cards.

From the Feds: Information on driver’s licenses and identification cards. The following information would be required to appear on State-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards: full legal name, date of birth, gender, a unique driver’s license or identification card number (not the SSN), a full facial digital photograph, address of principal residence (with certain exceptions), issue and expiration dates, signature, physical security features and a common machine-readable technology (MRT).

Now wait, I know what you're saying, the Feds have denied any claim that this amounts to a national ID card since they're not maintaining a national database. Semantics! my dear Watson! Each state MUST make their database available to a central network which screams NATIONAL to me.

From the Feds: Database connectivity. States would be required to provide electronic access to specific information contained in the motor vehicle database of the State to all other States.

"Raising the security standards on driver's licenses establishes another layer of protection to prevent terrorists from obtaining and using fake documents to plan or carry out an attack," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff

Tell that to Timothy McVeigh.

From the Feds: A frequently-heard concern relates to the amount of additional information the Federal Government will have about driver’s license holders and what the Federal Government will do with that data. In fact, however, neither the Real ID Act nor these proposed regulations gives the Federal Government any greater access to information than it had before. Moreover, there is no information about a licensee that the Federal Government will store that it is not already required to store.

Of course. But, what they're not saying is that they can readily access - cripes! anyone can readily access any of this information at any time from any computer with a 'net access and a pass into your State DMV office. So, while the Feds are not going to be *storing* this information your state will be doing it for them.

Now, let's say you don't have a utility bill. What will the Feds accept?

From the Feds:    
• A valid unexpired U.S. passport.
• A certified copy of a birth certificate.
• A consular report of birth abroad
• An unexpired permanent resident card.
• An unexpired employment authorization document (EAD).
• An unexpired foreign passport with valid U.S. visa affixed.
• A U.S. certificate of citizenship.
• A U.S. certificate of naturalization; or
• A REAL ID driver’s license or identification card issued subsequent to the standards established by this regulation.

You know, I always keep a copy of my great, great, great grandparents immigration papers handy just for cases like this, don't you? And did you catch that? You can use your REAL-ID card to get a REAL-ID card - even though they do not yet exist.

NY State is already elbow deep with compliance but it would be quite a thing if NY were to stop kissing the arse of Homeland Security and decided not to play along. Can you imagine what it would be like at Kennedy or LaGuardia if we didn't? If just NY stood tall (there are 22 states who have voiced "concern" and several have voted not to participate at all) the Feds would have to come to their senses.

I didn't grow up being told this was a Free Country only to have that freedom taken away by my own government.

Well, enough of all this. The Federal draft document outlining this nifty proposal is online here.

As always, your comments are welcome. (but subject to suspicion unless you can provide a valid passport, proof of social security or a permanent resident card.)

JmG