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New videos posted covering the Virginia DMV Pranksters, CSDL featured on several CNN shows, a Fox News Special Report covering Real ID, and coverage of a Chicago Councilman's father being involved in a fake ID ring.

CSDL Supports REAL ID Grants Distributed by DHS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, 6/25/08 - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced $79,875,000 in federal grants specifically tied to REAL ID compliance in 43 states, the District of Columbia, and 4 territories. To expedite grants to the states, DHS consolidated the 2006 and 2008 REAL ID appropriations. These grants will partially offset the cost of the states’ efforts to reach material compliance with 18 specific REAL ID requirements.

"A secure license is a prerequisite for a secure nation. Americans realize a driver's license is a passport for air travel and entry to almost any office building in the country,” said Herb London, CSDL Director. “Complying with the law should be an obligation since it will serve as a bulwark for national defense."

Under the REAL ID Systems Integration and Data Verification Grant Program, these funds will help States pay for stronger physical security embedded in drivers’ licenses and ID cards, improve identity authentication of applicants and augment physical and electronic security of issuing facilities. DHS regulations also included a best practices guide for improving the privacy protections of personal data at state DMVs. Most states will look to incorporate those guidelines into their updated procedures.

“The Coalition for a Secure Driver’s License (CSDL) applauds DHS’s grant awards to the states, said Brian Zimmer, President of CSDL. “States need these grants to fund startup capital expenditures. Some states are constrained from committing to comply with REAL ID regulations because DMV officials depend on revenues from license fees to meet budget requirements. Without federal grants, implementation of REAL ID may be stalled or indefinitely delayed even when strongly supported by a Governor and leadership in the state legislature. These grants represent only a down payment on needed federal funding.”

As a condition of obtaining a waiver from DHS earlier this year, states committed to work toward meeting a compliance benchmark set by DHS regulations by December 31, 2009. Five states received additional grants for the capital costs of establishing a central message routing hub that will be operated by the states and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. Missouri was awarded more than $17 million from DHS as the designated hub state to link REAL ID verification and authentication throughout the country. Florida, Indiana, Nevada, and Wisconsin will each receive $1.2 million in addition to their individual state grant projects as lead states for pilot implementation and verification testing.

The Department of Homeland Security has now described the planned system architecture envisioned for the hub, and how it will be used. DHS explained that it will be an automated message router, and in no way a central database. Through it, states will be able to securely verify the identity, lawful status, and social security number of an applicant.

While some opponents have confused the hub’s intent and labeled it a giant federal database, DHS stressed that it is a high speed means of routing valid queries to a state for verification that the information presented by an applicant is authentic. Personal information will not be stored within the hub, nor will it allow unauthorized searching of information.

DHS relied on a peer review panel of state DMV officials that assessed each State’s grant request and the planned projects for which the grant monies would be used. DHS also used the size of the State’s driver’s license population as a concurrent factor to determine grant amount.

Seven states did not receive funds because they did not submit grant applications: Alaska, Idaho, Oklahoma, Washington, New Hampshire, Louisiana and Montana. While most states are proceeding toward REAL ID compliance, these states did not submit requests for grant money because of laws passed by their state legislatures opposing compliance with REAL ID. Unless an exception is granted by DHS, federal procurement regulations require that states receiving REAL ID grants must dedicate the expenditure of the money towards REAL ID compliance. Of note, despite an existing state law prohibiting compliance with REAL ID, South Carolina applied for a grant and received $500,000.

The Coalition for a Secure Driver’s License is a 501(c) (3) educational charity. CSDL supports voluntary state compliance with federal standards for drivers’ licenses and state issued ID cards, and supports rigorous enforcement of identity theft laws and prosecution of those engaging in identity document forgery and counterfeiting. CSDL actively works to improve the standards for issuance of state issued drivers’ licenses, ID cards; to inform the public of the value of a secure identity document, and to work toward higher levels of identity authentication by state and federal agencies. To support these purposes, CSDL gathers accurate and reliable information regarding all elements of the identity document processes of state and federal government to better inform policy makers, and as a repository for media and academic researchers.

New Regulations Will Set Federal Security Standards for State Issuance of Driver’s Licenses and Identity Cards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, 1/11/2008 – On Friday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued its final regulations for the REAL ID Act of 2005. The Coalition for a Secure Driver’s License (CSDL) joins with the Drug Free America Foundation and the Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless (A.C.E.) in endorsing the final regulations.

The regulations set standards for states to meet the requirements of the REAL ID Act and include security features, verification information of applicants to establish identity and lawful presence, and physical security standards for state locations where licenses and identity cards are issued.

According to DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff in a statement before the House Committee on Homeland Security on September 5, 2007, “delay in implementing REAL ID could be detrimental to our national security. In the National Intelligence Estimate … it clearly states that Al Qaeda will ‘intensify’ its efforts to put operatives inside our country. Clearly, time waits for no one and neither do our enemies.”

After reviewing the final regulations, Brian Zimmer, President of the Coalition for a Secure Driver’s License (CSDL), issued the following statement: “The 9/11 terrorists held over thirty valid drivers’ licenses and ID cards issued by five different states. Only a handful of states have implemented meaningful reforms in the six year interim, so national minimum standards are critical. Until REAL ID standards are adopted by the states, Americans are vulnerable to foreign terrorists hiding behind the façade of a state issued driver’s license. CSDL strongly supports the new DHS regulations and urges states to comply.”

Calvina Fay, Executive Director of the Drug Free America Foundation, noted: “Minimum federal security standards for the states’ public ID systems have many critical benefits – not the least of which is helping to abate a serious drug epidemic. The link between fraudulently obtained ID cards used by drug dealers and the proliferation of methamphetamine production makes a compelling additional argument for REAL ID regulations. States that raise the identity authentication requirements for driver’s licenses and ID cards will help themselves by putting teeth in the Meth Act and stopping meth abuse.”

Henry Buhl, Founder of A.C.E., stated: ”REAL ID standards have a critical impact on many of the ailments that plague the homeless, as many homeless are victimized by identity thieves who fraudulently obtain drivers’ licenses using the names and social security numbers of the homeless who are often unaware their identities have been stolen. These identity thieves then fraudulently purchase guns, hide from law enforcement, and even steal public benefits from the homeless, further compounding their plight. REAL ID will force the states to clean up their act and cease wholesale ID card issuance.”

CSDL is a non-partisan, not for profit, grassroots organization educating the public and elected officials about the critical need for secure drivers’ licenses. Drug Free America Foundation is a national not for profit organization dedicated to fighting drug use, drug addiction and drug trafficking and to promoting effective, sound drug policies, education and prevention. A.C.E. is a community based organization that assists New York City’s homeless men and women in re-entering the workforce and achieving long term, economic self-sufficiency.

For more information please visit: http://www.secure-license.org, http://www.ace4homeless.org/, or http://www.dfaf.org

New York State Update - Spitzer Puts New Yorkers at Risk!

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Press Office

What They’re Saying About REAL ID…

January 14, 2008

Secretary Chertoff on the announcement of the final REAL ID rule: “So there are three categories of people who will be very unhappy about secure driver’s licenses: terrorists, some people who want to get on airplanes and federal buildings and avoid terrorist watch lists; illegal immigrants who want to work in this country by pretending to be American citizens; and con men. And we’re going to disappoint all three categories of these people by announcing today’s final REAL ID rule for driver’s licenses.” (DHS Release, 1/11/2008)

Secretary Chertoff on the REAL ID regulations: “The last thing I want to do is punish citizens of a state who would love to have a REAL ID license but can't get one,” Chertoff said. “But in the end, the rule is the rule as passed by Congress.” (New ID rules may complicate air travel, AP, 1/12/2008)

The Fraternal Order of Police on the need for REAL ID: The FOP has always supported 'REAL ID,' which for us is an important officer safety issue. Law enforcement officers need to have confidence that the documents presented to them to establish the identity of a given individual are accurate. Officers rely on these documents during traffic stops and other law enforcement actions to access information related to that individual's criminal history. No police officer wants to be in the dark about the fact that he may have detained a wanted and violent criminal who has simply obtained false identification. This places both the officer and the public he is sworn to protect in greater danger.” (Statement, 1/11/2008)

Secretary Chertoff on identity theft: “Most people accept that you need to identify yourself,” he said, and “I see no argument in favor of making it easier to pony up fake identity.” (New Driver’s License Rules are Issued, Wall Street Journal, 1/12/2008)

Secretary Chertoff on protecting privacy through REAL ID: “So if somebody tries to present a phony passport and substitutes a picture of themselves for the real passport owner, by checking that passport against the database that we have at the Department of State with the passport page, we can see there’s a difference in the photograph, and we can detect a potential identity thief or other kind of con man. That again is a step forward in terms of privacy. So finally, we come to the core question: Is it somehow an invasion of privacy to require that when people present identification to come into a building or to get on an airplane that that identification be genuine and valid? Now I guess you could make the argument – and I know I certainly wouldn’t make it, and I doubt you’re going to find many Americans who would make it – but I guess you could make the argument that you should have the right to get on an airplane without telling anybody who you are, and that it’s wrong for us to be able to check a watch list to see whether Mohammed Atta, number two, is getting on an airplane. And if that’s your position, then you’re against all identification; you don’t want people to identify themselves in any circumstance. But as I say, I don’t think that makes sense, and I don’t think the American people [think that] makes sense.” (DHS Release, 1/11/2008)

The Information Technology Association of America on REAL ID: The Information Technology Association of America today applauded the Department of Homeland Security’s release of long-awaited Real ID regulations aimed at strengthening the security of American’s driver’s licenses and called upon Congress and the states to fund and implement the requirements. “In these regulations, the Department appears to have set a clear, reasonable and responsible destination, which the majority of people support - secure IDs that protect personal privacy,” said ITAA President and CEO Phil Bond. “The Administration has followed through on critical recommendations from the 9/11 commission. Now it’s time for more state leaders to chart their courses and for Congress to help them get there. Saying it was still reviewing the regulations in detail, the Association praised the department for being responsive to calls for privacy protection and for providing a “framework” for Real ID solutions. It also applauded some states for pioneering model programs for implementation of Real ID, even as leaders in Washington delayed action. (Information Technology Association Release, 1/11/2008)

Executive Director of the Drug Free America Foundation Calvina Fay on federal ID standards: “Minimum federal security standards for the states’ public ID systems have many critical benefits – not the least of which is helping to abate a serious drug epidemic. The link between fraudulently obtained ID cards used by drug dealers and the proliferation of methamphetamine production makes a compelling additional argument for REAL ID regulations. States that raise the identity authentication requirements for driver’s licenses and ID cards will help themselves by putting teeth in the Meth Act and stopping meth abuse.” (Release, 11/11/2008)

President of the Coalition for a Secure Driver’s License (CSDL) Brian Zimmer on REAL ID: “The 9/11 terrorists held over thirty valid drivers’ licenses and ID cards issued by five different states. Only a handful of states have implemented meaningful reforms in the six year interim, so national minimum standards are critical. Until REAL ID standards are adopted by the states, Americans are vulnerable to foreign terrorists hiding behind the façade of a state issued driver’s license. CSDL strongly supports the new DHS regulations and urges states to comply.” (Release, 11/11/2008)

Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles on the REAL ID regulations: Indiana has diligently worked to strengthen the security of customers’ personal information and the integrity of the credentials we issue, while at the same time preparing for the implementation of the federal Real ID Act. We appreciate that the Department of Homeland Security officials listened to the concerns expressed by Indiana and other states and appear to have addressed many of them in the final federal regulation. In particular, we are encouraged that the regulations set forth a more appropriate implementation timetable and provide additional flexibility for states to implement. We look forward to reviewing the final regulations in detail. (Statement, 1/11/2008)

Major County Sheriffs’ Association on the importance of REAL ID: “We intend to work closely with DHS on the implementation details but the need is clear” said Acting MCSA President, Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard. “The September 11 attacks were the main motivation for the changes. The hijacker-pilot who flew into the Pentagon, Hani Hanjour, had a total of four driver's licenses and ID cards from three states. Secure and protected identification is critical in our efforts to keep our country and its citizen’s safe…From a law enforcement perspective, the concept here gives us that much more confidence that the identification we are looking at is authentic – that you are in fact who you say you are. It provides one more tool to ensure public safety.” (Major County Sheriffs Association Release, 1/11/2008)

The Washington Post on REAL ID compliance: Under Real ID, all new licenses would be machine-readable and contain personal information that could be scanned by governments and potentially by corporations. At a news conference yesterday, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the guidelines represent a balance between security and privacy in accordance with the Real ID Act. He warned that residents in states such as Georgia and Washington, which have refused to comply with the program, may be subject to additional security checks or prevented from boarding flights once the program begins this spring. He urged those states to seek waivers to allow their residents to continue flying as of May 11, when the regulations begin to take effect. (“ID Plan Is Broadly Criticized”, Washington Post, 1/12/2008)

The New York Times on REAL ID: While some states are in revolt, others were moving to tighten their licensing standards even before Sept. 11. And some advocates say that tighter controls would help prevent identity theft and drunken driving. “We can kill three birds with one stone if we get ourselves on a path to a secure driver’s license,” Mr. Chertoff said. (“U.S. Issues National ID Standards, Setting Stage for a Showdown”, New York Times, 1/12/2008)