Travelers in San Antonio should prepare for changes at airport security checkpoints starting May 7. The TSA will require Real ID-compliant identification for both domestic and international flights, in accordance with new federal regulations. This update, stemming from the 9/11 Commission’s 2005 security recommendations, means a standard driver's license will no longer be sufficient unless it includes the proper credential—a gold star in the top right corner. For more details on how to obtain a Texas Real ID, visit the Fox San Antonio report.
It's not only flyers who need to prepare. With an estimated 61% compliance nationwide, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, other parts of the country may experience delays in airport processing. Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst with the American Civil Liberties Union, told KUT News, "If the administration does go ahead with imposing this deadline, it's going to lead to chaos in airports in many states, and that may include Texas."
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is ahead in the Real ID process, with 98% of its licenses and IDs compliant, according to a March report. Texans are advised to plan ahead, as those who have recently moved to Texas or need to renew an expired license may experience difficulties securing a DPS appointment due to high demand. Some DPS offices in Central Texas are showing wait times of over a month. However, since about 30% of appointments result in no-shows, walk-ins may still be an option, according to a KUT News report.
There are potential challenges at TSA screening points, especially at airports like Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which has experienced long lines in the past. The new rule allows for a gradual implementation, giving federal agencies up to two years to fully enforce it. Non-REAL ID holders may undergo additional screening and go through a verification process that could be more time-consuming. TSA spokesperson Patricia Mancha delineated to KUT News that without the right ID, travelers "will be the one responsible for providing that information about themselves."
Real ID has raised privacy concerns from some critics. Patrick Eddington, a former CIA officer now with the Cato Institute, highlighted in KUT News the potential tracking capabilities associated with Real ID: "It helps to put us on the road essentially to giving the government the ability to monitor where and when you travel, how you travel, all those kinds of things." For some, Real ID is viewed not just as an update but as a step toward increased digital oversight, with concerns about the potential for more extensive data tracking.
Texas has implemented the Real ID system, investing millions to upgrade license offices, improve security measures, and establish interstate data sharing to comply with federal requirements. Undocumented immigrants in Texas, however, are not eligible to obtain compliant IDs and are not part of the Real ID system.
