Who are you? Prove it! The Federal REAL ID Act and Its Fate in Wisconsin

Congress passed the federal REAL ID Act to make it more difficult to fraudulently acquire a driver's license or ID card, as part of the effort to fight terrorism and reduce fraud. States are not required to implement the Act's standards, and it is not yet clear if Wisconsin will opt out of complying with the Act. If the state opts out, Wisconsin lawyers and other citizens will no longer be able to enter federal courthouses or board commercial aircraft with their accustomed ease.

by Aaron R. Gary

On May 11, 2005, President George W. Bush signed into law the federal REAL ID Act1 Under this Act, beginning on May 11, 2008, a Wisconsin resident may not use a Wisconsin driver's license or state-issued identification car2 to prove identity when boarding a commercial aircraft or entering a federal building unless the driver's license or identification card is REAL ID-compliant. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which administers the provisions of the federal law, has extended the time for states to comply with REAL ID.

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