The Real ID Act was enacted in 2005 following the 9/11 Commission's recommendations to enhance identification standards for domestic travel. With enforcement starting across the U.S. on May 7, 2025, many are questioning its effectiveness in improving security. The costly implementation has raised issues around privacy and safety, with skeptics calling it "security theater." Despite a surge in California appointments for Real IDs, some individuals, like the author, refuse to comply, highlighting a broader debate over the necessity of the legislation after 17 years of discussion.
In 2005, the U.S. passed the Real ID Act, aiming to standardize identification for domestic travel, but its effectiveness in enhancing safety remains debated.
Seventeen years post-implementation, the enforcement of Real ID at airports raises questions about its necessity and the significant costs associated with it.
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