Mass Private I
Maine & Massachusetts residents may not be able to board a plane using their driver’s licenses starting in 2016 if the state does not start complying with the federal Real ID program.
In 2007, Maine became the first state to reject the federal regulations adopted in response to a study on national security after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Federal officials wanted to make driver’s licenses more uniform and secure, but opponents said the federal law was too sweeping and intrusive.
Non-compliance, however, has restricted the ability of residents from some states to access some federal buildings, and that is likely to increase.
The Real ID program is intended to make states’ requirements for driver’s licenses and identification cards more uniform and stringent.
The Real ID program is a REAL NIGHTMARE or a spying governments wet dream.
In July, the licenses were no longer adequate to access restricted federal facilities, such as the U.S. Mint and nuclear power plants. Residents from non-complying states need passports to enter those buildings. As of January, the licenses will not be adequate to get into semi-restricted federal facilities where a license or passport currently is required.
The act requires states to maintain a database of license applicants’ information that is accessible to the federal government, and take photos of applicants that can be scanned by facial recognition software.
–Sophia Cope of Center for Democracy and Technology, “Why Real ID is a Flawed Law,” CNET News, January 31, 2008
“We are working with [the Department of Homeland Security] to address their outstanding concerns and we appreciate the guidance and various best practices they have shared with us from other states,” Blue said.
In March 2013, state Senators Bruce E. Tarr, Robert Hedlund, Michael Knapik, and Richard Ross – all Republicans – wrote a letter to Patrick urging Massachusetts to comply with the law. Tarr said he has not yet received an “effective response” from the administration.
“I do think what will happen is that Massachusetts driver’s licenses won’t have the same stature and validity across this country as they do now,” said Tarr, the state Senate minority leader.
Homeland Security said in December, when it unveiled its latest efforts to enforce compliance, that the rules for verifying citizenship and immigration status are “measured, fair and, responsible.” They will apply to places where identification is now required to enter, for the most part, but not to such places as the Smithsonian Institution’s museums on the National Mall.
Homeland Security “will continue to support states’ efforts to enhance the security in an achievable way that will make all of our communities safer,” spokeswoman Marsha Catron said in a statement.
There it is again DHS’s and every alphabet soup agencies B.S. response, it’s for our SAFETY. We need your Biometrics to make you safer, DON’T BELIEVE THEM. Ultimately a private company is getting rich while spying on you for our government!
“Big brother is bad enough. Do you really want him working for the DMV?”
–Knute Berger, Seattle Weekly, January 18, 2006.
“Heavily criticized by concerned citizens, civil liberties groups, and state government agencies, the Real ID act is opposed by over 600 organizations including the National Governors Association.” Ars Technica, 2007