Homeland Security chief says travelers with no Real ID can fly for now, but with likely extra steps

WASHINGTON — Travelers who haven’t obtained a Real ID by this week’s deadline received assurances from the head of Homeland Security they will be able to fly after additional identity checks. Her comments came Tuesday as people were waiting in long lines outside of government buildings from California to Chicago trying to update their IDs before the long-delayed deadline.

Kristi Noem told a congressional panel 81% of travelers already have IDs that comply with the Real ID requirements. She said security checkpoints will also be accepting passports and tribal identification when the deadline hits Wednesday.

Those who still lack an identification that complies with the Real ID law “may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step,” Noem said.

“But people will be allowed to fly,” she said. “We will make sure it’s as seamless as possible.”

The reprieve benefits the millions of Americans who still lack a Real ID, such as Pamela Applegate, 76, of Belle Vernon. Her attempt at securing a new license in April didn’t make it past the document checker who denied her marriage license from the 1960s. That made her nervous a delay in her flight from Florida last Monday would have left her stranded.

“It’s just a pain in the butt,” she said. “I’m sure I’m not the only one who has to go through this trial and tribulation.”

She’s still deciding whether to take another crack at Real ID or get a passport but plans to do one or the other eventually.

Across the country, Department of Motor Vehicle offices extended their hours to help meet the demand. But, despite that, some people waited for hours Tuesday to get a Real ID ahead of the long-delayed deadline.

Renel Leggett, a college student from West Chester, spent hours getting her Real ID and was not happy about it.

“I’ve been out here for three hours to get one ID when I’ve already had one that should have lasted me until about 2029,” Leggett said.

“You have to do it. But it feels like a waste of time,” she said.

Lisa Farbstein, a TSA spokeswoman, said Pittsburgh International Airport is looking to enforce Real ID while minimizing impact to its overall operations.

“I think that people who already have an ID … are going to see no difference,” she said.

Travelers found to be noncompliant could receive additional screening, Farbstein said, but it should not prevent anyone from getting on their designated airplane.

“Those people may possibly be directed to a separate area to be screened,” she said. “What that looks like I can’t get into because that’s considered security sensitive, but it’s nothing that’s going to increase security wait times, affect security.”

Real ID is a federally compliant state-issued license or identification card Homeland Security says is a more secure form of identification. It was a recommendation by the 9/11 Commission and signed into law in 2005.

The commission recommended the government set security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and IDs. It was supposed to be rolled out in 2008. But implementation has been repeatedly delayed.

Besides needing a Real ID to fly domestically, people also will need one to access certain federal buildings and facilities.

In recent weeks, Noem has been warning the American public about the upcoming deadline. In a television ad put out by Homeland Security, she warned these IDs were needed for air travel and for entering public buildings, adding: “These IDs keep our country safe.”

A Real ID-compliant driver’s license has a symbol (in most states, a star) in the top corner of the card.

In California, about 58% of all driver’s license and ID cardholders have a Real ID. The state has extended the hours of some Department of Motor Vehicles offices through June 27 to help more people get the federally required identification. Officials also are reminding residents that, if they already have a valid U.S. passport, they can wait to upgrade to a Real ID when their ID or driver’s license is due for renewal.

Lucas Krump was traveling Tuesday to San Francisco on business from Newark, N.J., and said he was using a passport to get through security.

“I don’t have a license that is Real ID,” he said. “I question the bureaucracy around it. It feels like attacks on everyday people, having to upgrade their licenses and all of their identification for something that Really, you know, seems like we’ve been fine without it.”

At the Driver Services Bureau in Jackson, Miss., there were no long lines Tuesday, and people were getting their Real IDs fairly quickly.

Marion Henderson said before going in that she planned to travel to California, Michigan, Chicago and New York this year and wanted to be prepared.

“Even though I have my license, now that it’s required, I wanted to go ahead and get it done” ahead of the deadline, Henderson said.

TribLive Staff writer Megan Swift contributed.