US proposes delaying full enforcement of stricter ID rules until 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 another two years to May 2027.

Congress in 2005 approved 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 significant impacts 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.

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 big issue is that more than 124 million people still do not have compliant IDs. The DHS estimates states and territories have issued approximately 162 million REAL ID-compliant driver licenses or other ID, and that 56% of the population possess a state-issued license or ID.

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

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Kevin Liffey)