The Biden administration suggests postponing the implementation of ID requirements for boarding planes by two years, one day after the 9/11 anniversary.

The Biden administration has proposed postponing the implementation of new identification requirements for air travel and federal building access by an additional two years.

The federal standards for issuing identification cards were approved by Congress in 2005, but enforcement has been delayed several times. The last extension was in December 2022, setting a deadline of May 7, 2025. Now, the Biden administration is considering pushing the deadline back to May 7, 2027.

On the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published a "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking."

The TSA clarified that the "proposed rule does not delay the REAL ID deadline."

The proposal suggests that federal agencies may implement card-based enforcement provisions of the REAL ID regulations in phases after the May 7, 2025, deadline, with the aim of providing flexibility. The rulemaking proposes that agencies may implement card-based enforcement through a phased enforcement plan if they determine it is appropriate upon consideration of relevant factors including security, operational feasibility, and public impact.

The proposed rule mandates that agencies coordinate their plans with DHS, make them public, and achieve full enforcement by May 5, 2027, according to the summary.

The REAL ID Act, which was passed by Congress in 2005, sets minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. These standards include the use of anti-counterfeiting technology, preventing insider fraud, and verifying a person's identity through documentary evidence and record checks, as recommended by the DHS.

According to the DHS website, under the new regulations, every traveler aged 18 or older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card, state-issued enhanced driver's license, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification at airport security checkpoints for domestic air travel.

"TSA is collaborating with the public and licensing jurisdictions and states to facilitate a seamless transition to REAL ID enforcement on May 7, 2025, according to TSA administrator David Pekoske. REAL ID offers enhanced security, and this rule enables us to plan for various scenarios to minimize the impact on travelers, stakeholders, and states during implementation."

As of Thursday morning, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website indicated that there are 237 days left until REAL ID enforcement begins.

To board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities, U.S. travelers must comply with REAL ID on May 7, 2025.

In December 2022, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas declared that DHS planned to postpone the full enforcement of REAL ID by 24 months, from May 3, 2023 to May 7, 2025, due to the backlogs created by the COVID-19 pandemic in state driver's licensing agencies.

"Mayorkas stated that the extension granted to states would enable them to guarantee their residents could obtain REAL ID-compliant licenses or identification cards. DHS would utilize this time to introduce advancements that would streamline the process and make it more accessible. The agency would continue to prioritize the safety of the American public while traveling."