Foreigners with legal stay in the United States must also process the new identification card. Find out how the Real ID affects migrants with Hispanic Entrepreneurs. We also review how to go about obtaining this document.
What you should know about the Real ID
In the Department of Motor Vehicles of each state the Real ID is already being processed to the citizens who request it.
The Real ID is a certified identification which seeks to unify the requirements for driver's licenses and identification cards that are issued in each state. Its purpose is to provide greater security, and it has encrypted information and other characteristics that make it difficult to alter and modify.
Starting next year, the United States will require citizens and residents with legal immigration status to present Real ID-compliant identification to board domestic flights and enter federal facilities.
We summarize the basic information about this new identification document as follows:
- The application of the law was due to take effect in 2020, but it was postponed to October 1, 2021.
- Any resident of the country can use it for the purposes indicated by law; however, it is not mandatory to have it and instead you can use other documents accepted by the TSA such as a passport or a military ID, among others.
- People can continue to use the regular driver's license to drive around the country.
- Foreigners who wish to obtain it must check the legality of your stay in the country.
How Real ID Affects Migrants
The application of the Real ID will impact immigrants who are in the United States. If they use the regular license as identification to board domestic flights, they must now present this document or one of those indicated by the TSA.
Now, not all foreigners in the country can process the identification document with the new characteristics. Those who have legal residence or possess a non-immigrant visa will have no problem. However, those who are illegal will be affected.
To find out who can get the Real ID the categories of people who have access to it must be evaluated. This includes citizens, permanent or conditional residents, workers and students with a valid visa, who have asylum or have applied for it.
Also those who benefit from the DACA program, who have temporary protection or who are waiting for permanent or conditional residence.
Federal requirements require the applicant to prove their legal stay in the country. For this reason, illegal immigrants cannot access this ID.
Illegal immigrants can still get the special driver's license that is issued in some states for their situation.
What is needed to obtain the Real ID
Let's see how to get a Real ID license in the USA. The agency that handles the process is the Department of Motor Vehicles in each state. These must meet federal standards to issue the document, but can also add their own requirements.
It is already airing in all states. For this, the applicant must make an appointment and then go with all the requirements. These include documents that prove your identity and legal permanence.
We analyze what is required and the documents that immigrants can present to obtain the Real ID.
The first requirement is the Social Security Number. Legal migrants who are not eligible for this card can submit a letter from the Social Security Administration explaining their situation.
The second requirement as proof of identity is the simple driver's license. It can be replaced by another official document such as the birth certificate, US passport or another that contains the applicant's data. In the case of immigrants, there are several alternatives that depend on the category to which they belong.
You can present your passport with a investment visa, valid work or study. In the latter situation, it must be accompanied by a copy of the I-94 stamped by an immigration officer.
The I-327 reentry permit, refugee travel document, and DACA approval are other documents that can be submitted for this purpose.
Before making the appointment, find out what are the alternatives you have according to your particular situation.
Other requirements
In addition, they require two different proofs of residency to verify that you live in the state where you request the Real ID. These can be the driver's license, bank statements, service receipts, among others.
There are people who do not have this type of documentation, for them the states have other alternatives that must be consulted in advance.
For more official information on how the Real ID affects migrants, you can consult this document.
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