Homeland Security Suggests States Opposing New Driver's License Law Get Compliance Waiver

January 12, 2008 8:22 a.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has urged states that need more time to comply with a new driver's license law to secure a waiver to keep state-issued licenses valid for air travel beyond spring.

Chertoff issued the statement on Friday as he unveiled the final details of the REAL ID Act passed by Congress in 2005 to prevent another 9/11-type terrorist attack.

Under the law, by May, citizens born after Dec. 1, 1964 can no longer use state-issued driver's license to board planes. They have to get and use a new and more secure federal driver's license.

According to the Chicagotribune.com, the DHS secretary said citizens of states that fail to get a waiver by May "will have to use passport or certain types of federal border-crossing cards if they want to avoid a vigorous secondary screening at airport security."

The American Civil Liberties Union, which is leading the opposition to the new ID law, described the May deadline as a scare tactic of the DHS.

Barry Steinhardt, director of the ACLU's technology and liberty program, said he doubts the government will shut down airports, which he thinks will happen in states where residents will refuse to go through secondary scrutiny for having no REAL ID.