Members urge FAS REAL ID action

Statement

Led by Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai'i), House and Senate members with resident populations from Freely Associated States want requirements eased for these FAS citizens to obtain a REAL ID drivers license. Congress enacted legislation last year intended to make clear that FAS citizens, who live and work in the U.S. without a visa or work permit, are eligible for licenses meeting the new REAL ID security standards. The Department of Homeland Security, however, is still requiring FAS citizens to produce an Employment Authorization Document, when they apply for a state-issued license or identification card. A REAL ID compliant document is necessary to enter a federal facility or board federal regulated commercial aircraft. So, any difficulty in obtaining a REAL ID license or i.d. is a hardship. The Commonwealth has until February 2020 to meet REAL ID Act requirements. Until then Marianas residents can continue to use their Commonwealth driver's license and identification cards at federal facilities.

Source