ND Asking for Real ID Extension
|  Video
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| Amanda Tetlak |
| 1/25/2008 |
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| Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the United States has been focused on securing our borders. As of January 31, all adult travelers will have to have a proof of citizenship and proof of identity to enter the United States. And in the coming months, the state of North Dakota will be adopting even stricter guidelines. Real ID is a national effort and is a product of the 9-11 commission. The state is supposed to come up with a plan to implement by May 11, but it looks like North Dakota may get some extra time. The Real ID act of 2005 requires people entering the US to present a license or document that is compliant with federal regulations that establishes citizenship. The idea is to cut down on terrorism and fraud. The North Dakota Department of Transportation just received the federal document outlining all regulations for the Real ID on January 18. "What we have to do is sort through these rules and ultimately pick alternatives that will work best for North Dakota and implement those alternatives," says Francis Ziegler of the Department of Transportation. Seeing as the document is quite large, and the deadline to comply is May 11, the state has asked for an extension of December 31, 2009. During that time the DOT will create a plan for an enhanced license that will look like a regular drivers license, but with a special marking that shows proof of citizenship. "They will get a license that`s called an enhanced Driver`s License or an enhanced ID and the idea there is to have the information on the license that is compliant with Real ID," Ziegler says. "We`re working with the Department of Homeland Security and they will approve our process so they know we have the data and can cerify the people who have the license are in fact Americans and American Citizens." So even though it seems like a lot of work now, the idea is ultimately to keep America safe and also make is easier to travel, with only having to worry about one source of ID. North Dakota is looking at what other states are doing and putting all of those ideas together to put together a plan that works best for the state. |
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