Washington is one of only two states that doesn’t require proof someone is a legal US resident in order to obtain a driver’s license.
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A letter on behalf of DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson to Demisia Padilla, Secretary of the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department finds that “New Mexico has not provided adequate justification for continued noncompliance with the REAL ID standards that would warrant granting your request for another extension”.
The department said the state will be given a three-month grace period before its current temporary extension, issued earlier this year, expires. “As a result, federal agencies may not accept New Mexico driver’s licenses and identification cards for official purposes in accordance with the phased enforcement schedule announced on December 20, 2013”.
Federal officials also denied Washington state an extension despite a system that offers enhanced licenses and IDs that require proof of citizenship. The state’s enhanced driver’s license or ID card costs more than the standard issue and requires presentation of proof of citizenship, such as an original birth certificate or a naturalization certificate. Anyone with a standard Washington driver’s license is advised to call ahead to those locations. Standard processing time is about five weeks. While Gov. Susana Martinez has strongly supported compliance with REAL ID in recent years, Democrats in the legislature have opposed laws that deprive non-citizens of equal protection rights, or threaten a particular group with special treatment or based on identity.
“With this letter, the feds are saying that they are fed up that the Legislature continues to allow the risky practice of giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants”.
The issue is more relevant now for people trying to get onto a military base or into other federal facilities.
Driver’s licenses issued by New Mexico are about to become a lot less useful, and residents can blame the state’s insistence on issuing the IDs to illegal immigrants.
“On the fundamental pieces, there’s a lack of clarity from the federal government around what and when the portions of REAL ID act will be enforced”, he said.
The Transportation Security Administration has not said when the rule will go into effect, but will provide at least four months notice when passengers will need to provide more than a Washington state driver’s license.
An enhanced Minnesota driver’s license or identification card, which costs an additional $15, may also work.
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There are many states and territories that haven’t fulfilled the national ID law’s mandates but have received extensions, Sermonti said.
