Since it was implemented, the Real ID Act has surfaced a lot of controversies, making it a very debated subject on television and radio programs and on many online forums and websites. The first thing related to it was when the United States had to come up with a major amount of cash to support the Real ID Act. The estimated value, necessary to change all the former identification cards to the new model, was rumored to be around 84 million dollars. Naturally, the citizens of America started to wonder about the resources that will support the Real ID Act and why the government is not taking this money to more important matters. The thing to keep in mind here is that the Real ID Act was given so that the national identification system could be improved and modernized, making it more effective and a lot easier for people to be identified. 

Another controversial situation, that centered around the modifications given by the implementation of the Real ID Act, focused on the fact that any kind of ID, whether it is a driver license or a state identification card, was bound to contain electronically adjusted personal information. In this respect, the Real ID Act supporters sustained the law by arguing that these information were already printed on the older variants and now they are also encrypted, presenting no dangers, just making it easier for the information to be given on certain occasions.

So many controversies have surrounded the Real ID Act since it was passed in 2005, mainly stirred by those communities that believe in the conspiracy theory and cannot understand that a modern way of identification is more useful and is a lot safer.

The reason that so much controversy surrounds this issue is that there is a tremendous cost that comes along with implementing it. Initially when the act was first proposed, the estimated overall cost for it was a total of $84 million. This would be the cost to transfer every citizen over to this card. Instead of having individual state ID’s, it would be a national card used to efficiently identify legal citizens of the country. Another point of concern is that because of the amount of personal information included on the card, it will give the government too much control.

Though it was originally proposed as a security measure to keep the country safe and more efficiently identify citizens, it has posed many problems for the future. Some American’s are wondering just how effective this act will be once implemented, and also how much it will cost the tax paying citizens of the country. With so many other pressing domestic issues that require a high budget, it is still shrouded in controversy.

What does the act really do?

The biggest thing the Real ID Act of 2005 does is change the way that driver’s license and identification cards are issued. This act proposes that everyone has an ID card that can be electronically read and includes certain information such as their address, their social security number, and other personal information. Essentially, all states will need to have their driver’s licenses redone in order to meet the new requirements.

Why all the controversy?

The biggest reason why people feel are upset about the Real ID Act is because of its cost. When the act was originally proposed, the biggest criticism it received was that it cost too much. When the act was first proposed, it was estimated that it would cost 84 million dollars for the entire country to be transferred over to this act, meaning that their identification cards would be changed to the new national ID card.

Another reason why people are so opposed to the act is because they are fearful that this will give the government more control over their own personal privacy and that it’s bringing us one step closer to “Big Brother” taking over.

However, this hasn’t gone entirely that well for the federal government as there have already been at least twenty-five states to pass legislation that allows them to back out of the government standards and continue to use their own regulations. In 2009, the states that hadn’t already passed legislation against the REAL ID Act were given extensions (until the end of the year) to come into compliance with federal regulations. This has been met with resistance, though some have chosen to just fall in line and have fought to stay or come into compliance.

The opinion of many individuals, that this is just another grab at the freedoms of Americans’ rights, seems to extend even as high up into the government as Janet Napolitano (Obama’s appointee to head up the Department of Homeland Security). Since its inception in 2005, there has been an almost constant congressional battle to repeal or, at the very least, heavily amend the REAL ID Act. In many ways this legislation could help secure America against further terrorist attacks, but it could also allow the federal government one more allowance of control that takes away rights (privacy and the like) of law abiding American citizens.

The facts about this act are that the government was going to make everyone carry an ID card that can be tracked at any time. They would but a bio-metric chip in the card so that they could know what and where everyone is at. Some people say that it would be a great idea because this way they can keep track of people who are not citizens of the US. On the other hand, the citizens will think that they are being tracked like stray animals. Both sides have a good point to bring up in the House of Representatives.

They have revised the act now and are only giving these identification cards to everyone that is not a US citizen. This makes a lot of Americans happy because their privacy is not going to be invaded and the country is going to be more protected from terrorists. Everyone can now live life a little easier with this new ID card.

While the REAL ID Act was overwhelmingly passed by both houses of Congress in 2005, it has since stalled in implementation and effect. Many states have so far sought to avoid implementing some of the legislation altogether or asking for extensions that will help them put off the law. Another thing that throws a wrench in the full implementation of this law is the changing of presidential administrations this past year. A byproduct of that change has been the proposition of PASS ID, a new law that would repeal REAL ID. PASS ID would seek to simplify the law, and perhaps one of the biggest changes would be in making states comply with federal standards for identification such as drivers’ licenses.

Whether or not your agree with the REAL ID law, it pays to know the facts and theories behind its creation!

But what does the Real ID Act really mean for the rest of us? Well, the most direct effect on US citizens is the creation of the Real Id card. According to the act’s provision’s, each citizen will be required to carry a Real Id card issued by the federal government containing a bio-metric identification device. This is one of the main privacy concerns civil libertarians have expressed about the Real ID Act. Some even think that it may lead to micro chip identification implants.

But the act itself doesn’t apply to U.S. citizens only. It also applies to immigrants and visa seekers. Immigrants may be mandated by immigration judges to provide corroborating evidence for the first time since the country’s inception.

The act will also tighten requirements for asylum applicants and temporary workers.

If you want to learn more about the Real ID Act and how it may affect you in the future, I suggest you visit the Homeland security’s department site at DHS.gov. It’s your duty as a citizen to be well informed about the laws governing your country.

Those immigrants that come into the country legally will probably be some of the first to get the Real IDs issued to them that allow them to have all of their information available to law enforcement and more. It is important that these Real IDs are made available because it will nearly make it impossible for those who do not get the new ID to be able to do things such as get a job that requires legal documents and more. There is simply so much information secured into the IDs that it will make it nearly impossible to replicate and thus fake IDs will be something from the past. Make sure that you get your Real ID when they are made available in your area to make sure that you are protected with the extras that these IDs will offer!

By filling ID cards with new security measures and more, driver’s licenses and IDs are less likely to be faked. Also by the point in time when licenses need to be renewed, everyone will be required to use the new system to get their licensing and identification legally. Everyone in the United States who will require and ID such as a state ID or License will eventually have one of these cards. By not complying, necessary transportation methods such as driving or flying may not be possible in the US without hefty fees or simply keeping you grounded.

The Real ID Act is supposed to make it safer for everyone by having more information on their IDs. This can make it more difficult for people to commit crimes as their personal identifying information such as fingerprints and eye scans will be easily available to authorities. This process will also require special terms for criminals to be able to qualify for a driver’s license or valid ID to get work. This new system will also reduce the amount of illegal immigrants who could receive jobs with American companies forcing them to work for money under the table or other illegal activities.

If you want the long winded version of what the Real ID Act is, it imposes certain security, authentication, and issuance procedures standards for the state driver’s licenses and state ID cards, for them to be accepted by the federal government for official purposes (when I said that the Secretary of Homeland Secretary is directly involved with this act, it is because that is the person who defines official purposes).

So, what were some of the changes that resulted from the introduction of this act. Well, we can run through some of the more significant ones. The act changed Visa limits for temporary workers and nurses, as well as citizens of Australia. Another change was to create new national standards for state-issued driver licenses and non-driver identification cards.

As with any act of this nature (which creates significant changes to the established standards), this act created a lot of controversy among people. Not only did it create controversy among average citizens of the United States, but it also created controversy among individuals from other countries, as well as among the men and women in Washington who represent all of us.