The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses and identification cards.” The Act and implementing regulations establish minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibit federal agencies from accepting for certain official purposes noncompliant driver’s licenses and identification cards.
In May 2025 REAL ID is going into effect and all the states are already in compliance with this new and improved method of identification. It will be required for domestic flights, entry into federal facilities and many other things. With just a few changes to the criteria to obtain REAL ID outlined in the DHS regulations to restrict it’s issuance to American Citizens only and to remove the allowance for foreign visa holders it can then be required to vote and will prove both identity and citizenship.
No Congressional debate would even be required, it’s a simple rules change.
If a non citizen visiting the United States wishes to drive, a temporary license along with a Federal issued Visa must be applied for and the same length of time clearly marked on the license must carried at all times…
The background in the driver’s license should be a different color than that of citizens over the age of 18 years to signify that the person is not a citizen.
Incorrect:
“If you are traveling internationally you will still need your passport. If you are traveling domestically, you will only need one valid form of identification – either your REAL ID or another acceptable alternative such as a passport, not both.”
To add insult to injury even those here on temporary protected status can be given a REAL ID. " a TPS beneficiary or individual with a pending TPS application can obtain a REAL ID compliant license or identification card. The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately. USCIS may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain designated countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States."
This needs to be changed.
Further questions can be answered by looking at the current regulations to highlight the relatively few that could and should be changed to assure REAL ID is only issued to American Citizens at the following link.
The current criteria leads one to question what they even meant when they named it “REAL”.
Note: this policy suggestion is meant to regulate voting protocols not driving privileges, that’s an entirely different subject.
[REAL ID FAQs | Homeland Security]