REAL ID Deadline Looms as States Seek Extensions
As the May 7 deadline for REAL ID compliance approaches, states like Kentucky are urgently requesting extensions, highlighting ongoing challenges and public discontent.
With the REAL ID enforcement deadline set for May 7, states across the U.S. are scrambling to meet the federal mandate, with Kentucky leading the charge for an extension. Kentucky’s Senate Transportation Committee Chair Jimmy Higdon, along with 27 other state senate leaders, penned a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, requesting a delay. The plea comes amid concerns over limited access to driver’s licensing services and long wait times at DMVs, which have left many Kentuckians struggling to obtain the necessary identification.
The Trump administration, however, has made it clear that there will be no exceptions to the REAL ID deadline. A statement to Fox News Digital confirmed that states must comply, emphasizing the seriousness of the impending enforcement. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has stated that passengers without a REAL ID or other compliant identification may face additional scrutiny and delays at airport checkpoints.
The REAL ID Act, signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2005, has been a point of contention for nearly two decades. Opposition has stemmed from various issues, including costs, privacy concerns, and states’ rights. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has been vocal about its disapproval, labeling the act as ‘discriminatory, expensive, burdensome, invasive, and ultimately counterproductive.’
As the deadline approaches, public anxiety is palpable, with only about 40 percent of Kentucky residents possessing a REAL ID. The situation is echoed nationwide, with Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island also expressing concerns about potential delays at TSA checkpoints and the readiness of millions of Americans who still lack compliant identification.
The looming deadline marks the culmination of a 20-year standoff between state and federal governments over REAL ID implementation, highlighting the ongoing tension and the significant impact on travelers and state resources.