By Adriana Flores Solis, April 29, 2025
The Real ID deadline has been moved to May 7 after President Donald Trump’s administration and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security pushed for its enforcement.
Beginning Wednesday, May 7, individuals who are 18 years old or older and are traveling by air must have a Real ID card. The deadline has been extended multiple times over the past few years.
Real IDs will be used as a form of identification before traveling by air in the United States, entering military bases, federal courthouses and federal-related facilities.
A Real ID is distinguishable because of its bear and star that is located in the top right corner of the card. Delays at TSA PreCheck can be expected by travelers who do not have a Real ID by the May 7 deadline.
Daisy Pedroza-Diaz, a kinesiology student, said she has a Real ID, and she said she believes there should be other priorities on the current administration’s agenda.
“I got my Real ID for when I was going to leave the country for the first time,” Pedroza said. “Other things should be prioritized, like the economy and how the current administration has made it plummet within the three months it’s been in office.”
Any non-Real ID driver’s licenses and Identification cards will not be accepted by airport security. There is still a lot of unknown information from TSA, including whether people will get turned away if they do not have a Real ID when arriving at an airport.will not be accepted by airport security. There is still a lot of unknown information from TSA, including whether people will get turned away if they do not have a Real ID when arriving at an airport.
Hope Hernandez, an animal science student, got her Real ID and driver’s license at the same time.
“I understand the purpose of it for more security if people travel a lot to other countries or military bases, however, I do think there are other priorities to focus on,” Hernandez said. “The economy and the environment are some examples I think should have more of a focus than mandating Real IDs.”
The Real ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005. After 9/11, Real IDs were implemented to improve airport travel security. The act’s purpose was to prevent terrorist attacks and ensure identification documents could not be falsified easily.
Edward Silvestre, a computer information systems student, has had a Real ID since 2020.
“While I do think establishing a more secure and consistent set of national standards is important, I don’t believe it should be a top priority as there are current issues that I think deserve more attention,” Silvestre said.
U.S. citizens can obtain a Real ID at their local DMV. The necessary documents to bring are proof of identity — birth certificate or passport — a Social Security card and proof of California residency.
Feature image courtesy of The Desert Sun