California deems REAL ID Act unnecessary
Theresa Wray
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: News
The Department of Homeland Security released its final regulations for the REAL ID Act, which sets standards for U.S. driver's licenses. But California's Department of Motor Vehicles called the act unnecessary and may not comply.
The 9/11 Commission urged the DHS to set standards for issuing driver's licenses in order to prevent terrorism and illegal entry into the U.S. The REAL ID Act is not a federal mandate, but all states that agree to comply will be required to share their information with other states and the federal government.
Mike Marando, Deputy Director of Communications at California DMV, said that the state is already using holograms, fingerprinting and other security protections. The extra effort to work within the federal system and with other states would present an unnecessary burden.
"California is already at the forefront of security protection," said Marando. "We have concerns about funding, security and privacy for our citizens and will need take a closer look before
we agree to comply."
Amy Kudwa, spokesperson for the DHS Office of Public Affairs, said that REAL ID is not a national identification card. All states will continue to use their uniquely designed driver's licenses as long as they contain the security elements specified in the Act. This includes the use of digital photos, holograms and a machine-readable area, which most states are already using.
REAL ID does not establish a national database for storing information, according to Kudwa. It will provide a central location that will drive a state's query to other state's databases, the immigration database and other agencies to verify information before a license is approved.
The federal system will send an approval to the requesting state DMV office after it performs its check. If the query is not approved, the information will be stored in the state's database and recalled if future attempts for approval are queried from other DMV offices.
The 9/11 Commission urged the DHS to set standards for issuing driver's licenses in order to prevent terrorism and illegal entry into the U.S. The REAL ID Act is not a federal mandate, but all states that agree to comply will be required to share their information with other states and the federal government.
Mike Marando, Deputy Director of Communications at California DMV, said that the state is already using holograms, fingerprinting and other security protections. The extra effort to work within the federal system and with other states would present an unnecessary burden.
"California is already at the forefront of security protection," said Marando. "We have concerns about funding, security and privacy for our citizens and will need take a closer look before
we agree to comply."
Amy Kudwa, spokesperson for the DHS Office of Public Affairs, said that REAL ID is not a national identification card. All states will continue to use their uniquely designed driver's licenses as long as they contain the security elements specified in the Act. This includes the use of digital photos, holograms and a machine-readable area, which most states are already using.
REAL ID does not establish a national database for storing information, according to Kudwa. It will provide a central location that will drive a state's query to other state's databases, the immigration database and other agencies to verify information before a license is approved.
The federal system will send an approval to the requesting state DMV office after it performs its check. If the query is not approved, the information will be stored in the state's database and recalled if future attempts for approval are queried from other DMV offices.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Bingbataboom
posted 4/03/08 @ 8:34 AM PST
Glad to see California joining Montana's Governor Brian Schweitzer in telling the Feds to "go to hell" on this onerous, unfunded mandate!
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