US proposes delaying full enforcement of stricter ID rules until up to May 2027

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Biden administration on Thursday proposed delaying full enforcement of new regulations requiring Americans to get new identification cards in order to board airplanes or enter a federal building by up to another two years to May 2027.

Congress in 2005 approved new, stricter federal standards for issuing identification cards but enforcement has been pushed back repeatedly.

The Department of Homeland Security had in December 2022 pushed back the "REAL ID" enforcement deadline until May 7, 2025.

Enforcing the requirements immediately could have a significant impact on U.S. airlines and airports.

The Transportation Security Administration, which is part of DHS and oversees airport security checkpoints, said Thursday it wants to implement a "phased approach" to the requirements through May 2027 but could begin full enforcement earlier.

TSA spokesperson Carter Langston said the agency's message to travelers is get the new ID to avoid delays. "Don't wait," Langston said.

DHS believes that without the postponement, U.S. agencies could face a serious risk of operational disruption, negative public impact, and potential security vulnerabilities.

The 2005 law enacted the Sept. 11, 2001, commission's recommendation that the U.S. government "set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses." The law sets minimum security standards for license issuance and production.

One issue is that more than 124 million people still do not have compliant IDs. DHS estimates states and territories have issued approximately 162 million REAL ID-compliant IDs -- or 56% of all state IDs.

TSA said agencies could issue warning notices or impose progressive consequences instead of fully enforcing the ID requirement starting next May.

Many Americans travel by airplane just once or twice a year, and TSA said it may opt to give three warnings before travelers are told they cannot travel on future flights without a new ID.

DHS added it "expects very few agencies to choose an enforcement plan that tracks individual instances of noncompliance."

TSA said failing to accept older IDs for a longer period could "lead to long lines and crowding at access points to federal facilities or airport security checkpoints."

The agency added that "an atmosphere of confusion and frustrated individuals who are denied access risks distracting security personnel from correctly executing their procedures."

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Jonathan Oatis)