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Get ready for a
‘real’ nightmare
This identity program is not
enforceable by the government. At least 25 states have
rejected the costly Real ID program.
Our neighbors in Pennsylvania only need
their governor’s signature to enact legislation opting out of
Real ID.
No wonder our state officials tried to
sneak this unpopular program by us without any public
input.
Urge your lawmakers and
Governor Christie to suspend the implementation of
TRU-ID! |
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Dear ACLU supporter,
Earlier this year, the state of New Jersey quietly initiated a
new program that encroaches on privacy, alienates vulnerable groups
in society and costs taxpayers millions. Worst of all, it’s being
done without input from the public, which NJ law requires for an
initiative like this.
The program, TRU-ID, is New Jersey’s implementation of the
federal Real ID Act, which seeks to create a national identification
card required for boarding commercial planes or entering federal
buildings.
Demand
accountability from your Governor and New Jersey
lawmakers! Tell them to suspend implementation of
TRU-ID until members of the public have an opportunity to review
what’s involved, and understand the costs in terms of both dollars
and rights.
TRU-ID was supposed to go into effect today, May 7, although the
Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) admitted last week that it has no
training materials ready. This has taken many in New Jersey by
surprise since the state previously rejected Real ID implementation
on the basis of high costs to taxpayers and other concerns.
In order to stop TRU-ID, the ACLU-NJ has sued the MVC to demand
accountability. The judge restricted implementation the day the
lawsuit was filed, expressing concerns over privacy and the manner
in which TRU-ID was put into place. The state cannot enforce new
regulations that intrude on our rights without seeking input from
the public, legislators or stakeholders. It’s undemocratic, and an
abuse of government power.
We have many reasons to call for public review of TRU-ID:
- It violates our
privacy: Under TRU-ID, the state will collect and keep a
database of copies of our personal documents such as birth
certificates and Social Security cards, making our personal
information subject to misuse. The state has not spelled out how
it will protect our information, and we don’t know which data
collection provisions of Real ID the MVC will actually enforce.
- It’s unfair:
TRU-ID’s document requirements will present impossible hurdles for
many in society. Consider homeless people or immigrants who won’t
be able to obtain a driver’s or state identification license
because they do not have access to the documents required to have
this card. It remains unclear whether any alternatives or
exemptions will be available.
- It’s expensive: New
cards, technological upgrades, extra MVC staff, training and tech
support all cost money – money that comes from taxpayers’
pockets.
Tell Gov.
Christie and your elected officials in Trenton that you won’t allow
the MVC to run roughshod over taxpayers without our
consent. The state must delay implementation, at least
long enough for New Jerseyans to learn more about it. Before the
state government forfeits the rights of its residents, we need at
least one opportunity to say no.
Yours in liberty,
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