Washington, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Utah, the only states that still allow illegal immigrants to get driver’s licenses, have escaped running afoul of a national identification law set to take effect at the end of the year.
The Department of Homeland Security has extended the Dec. 31 deadline for states to comply with the national ID law. It requires that driver’s licenses have security enhancements and that they be issued to people who can prove they’re legally in the U.S.
The extension to May 10, 2011 means existing driver’s licenses may still be used to clear airport security in 46 states and territories that haven’t fulfilled REAL ID mandates.
Congress is considering an alternate measure that would be more practical and less costly. (AP)
