INTERNACIONAL
What is REAL ID? Deadline approaches for new identification cards required to fly domestically
Due to a security law passed 20 years ago, many Americans are now required to update their driver’s license or identification cards to become REAL ID-compliant — or they won’t be able to board U.S. flights.
With the deadline fast approaching on May 7, some conservatives have called on President Donald Trump to do away with the inconvenient requirement that they say violates civil liberties.
What is REAL ID, and why does it matter?
On May 7, federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will no longer accept driver’s licenses or ID cards that do not have a star in one of the upper corners to represent their REAL ID verification. To become REAL ID-verified, applicants have to provide additional verifying information like Social Security numbers.
Flyers who don’t have REAL ID verification on their license should plan to use a passport, a passport card, a permanent resident card, military ID or an enhanced driver’s license offered by some states.
‘MASS SURVEILLANCE’: CONSERVATIVES SOUND ALARM OVER TRUMP ADMIN’S REAL ID ROLLOUT
Sample driver’s license with REAL ID. The star in the top right corner signifies REAL ID. (DC DMV )
Will travelers get turned away at the airport without a REAL ID?
The TSA says it will begin «phased enforcement» on May 7, but it’s unclear whether that means turning away travelers without proper documentation or subjecting them to additional security screening.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in an FAQ on its website that travelers without «a REAL ID-compliant license or acceptable alternative beginning May 7, 2025, will not be permitted through the security checkpoint.»
In a federal rule established this year, the TSA says its «phased approach» could last two years, with the potential to issue warnings to people without REAL ID verification.
Access to other federal facilities and nuclear power plants will also require a REAL ID, according to DHS.
How do you get a REAL ID?
Drivers who have recently renewed their driver’s license may already have a REAL ID. Check for the star in the upper right or left corner. Otherwise, check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles office on how to get a REAL ID or make an appointment to get a new license.
You’ll need documentation to show your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number and lawful status, as well as two proofs of address. If you don’t have your Social Security card, you can provide a W-2 or pay stub with your name and Social Security number on it.
NO ‘REAL ID’ APPOINTMENTS OPEN IN NEW JERSEY AS RESIDENTS SOUND OFF: ‘GET WITH THE TIMES, NJ’
Americans face lines at the DMV in a rush to get a REAL ID before May 7. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
Why is this happening?
Congress passed and President George W. Bush signed the REAL ID Act in 2005 after the 9/11 Commission warned that it was too easy for bad actors to obtain a driver’s license.
Implementation of the law has been marred by delays in getting all 50 states and U.S. territories to implement the new requirements and start issuing advanced identification, which the federal government estimated would cost $11 billion in 2007.
The 2020 deadline was pushed back multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
TSA senior official Adam Stahl said recently in an announcement that REAL ID «bolsters safety by making fraudulent IDs harder to forge, thwarting criminals and terrorists.»
What’s the backlash?
Some on the right have cried foul, and questioned why, if previous administrations have delayed the implementation, it is necessary now.
When Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted a video reminding Americans of the May 7 deadline, former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin responded: «Or what?? Evidently, existing ID requirements for American citizens just aren’t adequate now, so Big Brother is forcing us through more hoops for the ‘right’ to travel within our own country.»
Airline passengers are required to show REAL ID beginning May 7 — but DHS has said it will be a «phased implementation.» (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Palin continued: «Other administrations delayed this newfangled, burdensome REAL ID requirement. Are you curious why its implementation is imperative now?? And who came up with this?»
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., argued in an X post, «As long as the pilot’s door is locked and no one has weapons, why do you care that someone who flies has government permission? REAL ID provides no benefit, yet presents a serious risk to freedom. If a person can’t be trusted to fly without weapons, why are they roaming free?»
Massie took shots at Trump in a follow-up post: «REAL ID is a 2005 George Bush-era Patriot Act overreach that went completely unenforced until Trump got into office. Let me guess: he’s playing 4D chess and I should just go along with it?»
Trump ally Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., rebuked REAL ID critics in his own public statement.
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«The REAL ID Act was passed way back in 2005, 20 years ago!!!! It’s about time everyone stop dragging their feet. Quit scrolling through social media, quit complaining, get your info together, and get down to the DMV to get your REAL ID,» Alford said Wednesday.
The White House could not immediately be reached for comment on the criticisms of REAL ID.
Fox News’ Liz Elkind contributed to this report.
Politics,Travel,Airport News & Updates,Airlines,US
INTERNACIONAL
White House slams ‘trash reporting’ over claims ICE chief hospitalized for stress, yelled at by Trump admin
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The White House pushed back hard Friday amid a news report that Todd Lyons, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has been hospitalized at least twice for stress-related issues with the Trump administration that left him visibly upset and strained.
The pushback came following a Politico report that said Lyons was hospitalized at least twice for stress-related issues while carrying out President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda.
The stress has left Lyons unable to carry out key decisions, the report states, citing two current and two former administration officials, who were unnamed.
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ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons was reportedly hospitalized at least twice amid pressure from the Trump administration to ramp up deportations of illegal immigrants, according to a Politico report. (Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images andJohn Moore/Getty Images )
«He would be visibly upset and struggling to make the decisions that were needed to be made by the director,» one former unnamed official told the news website.
«Trash reporting from a trash «reporter» pushing tabloid b*******in an attempt to divide and distract. Todd Lyons is an American Patriot,» the White House Rapid Response X account said in response to the story.
The episodes were attributed to pressure from above for Lyons to ramp up deportations and from top adviser Stephen Miller, who allegedly yelled at Lyons during morning phone calls with administration officials, Politico reported.
«This is b******* and more of the trash that Daniel Lippman has peddled over the years in the name of clicks and clout,» Miller’s wife, Katie Miller, wrote on X in response to Politico reporter’s story.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said Politico was given «on record» denials prior to the story being published.
WHITE HOUSE BLASTS TOP HOUSE DEMOCRAT AS A ‘BUFFOON’ AFTER JEFFRIES BRANDS STEPHEN MILLER A ‘HATEFUL BIGOT’
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller speaks during the inaugural Americas Counter Cartel Conference at the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) headquarters in Doral, Florida, on March 5, 2026. (Eva Marie UZCATEGUI / AFP via Getty Images)
«Shame on Politico for publishing such inaccurate trash,» Jackson wrote on X. «Todd Lyons is an American patriot who has worked tirelessly to undo Biden’s disastrous immigration policies that wreaked havoc on American communities. And the American people are deeply appreciative for his hard work making our country safer. Despite multiple on record denials and sources refuting their pathetic ‘reporting’ and *still* ran with this absurd article.»
The reported hospitalizations took place over several months. In one incident, Lyons was driven to a hospital by his security detail and he was admitted overnight.
In September, Lyons became distressed that ICE agents were unable to locate an illegal immigrant in Los Ángeles during a ride along with top administration officials.
One of his bodyguards took a portable defibrillator from a nearby government office to Lyons in case he needed medical intervention, the report said.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons speaking at a press conference at the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston on June 2. (Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
After heated calls with Miller, Lyons expressed frustration that the White House was often mad at his agency, according to the current official and former official who heard such comments.
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«Todd, Stephen, and the entire White House team have a great working relationship and coordinate closely to deliver on the president’s many promises,» White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement. «Todd Lyons is an American patriot who has worked tirelessly to undo Biden’s disastrous immigration policies that wreaked havoc on American communities.»
Fox News Digital has reached out to ICE and Politico.
white house, police and law enforcement, us, border security
Con la llegada de la Semana Santa, El Salvador ha puesto en marcha un amplio dispositivo de prevención y protección ciudadana en el marco del denominado “Plan Verano”, cuyo eje central será el despliegue de 342 guardavidas de la Unidad de Guardavidas de Protección Civil. Esta medida busca proteger a los miles de visitantes que se prevé acudirán a las 34 playas, siete parques recreativos y dos lagos más concurridos del país durante este periodo vacacional.
El director de Protección Civil, Luis Alonso Amaya, detalló que estos 342 profesionales de salvamento acuático estarán distribuidos en 180 puntos de monitoreo, con el objetivo de fortalecer la vigilancia y la capacidad de respuesta ante incidentes en zonas turísticas de alta afluencia. Amaya subrayó que los guardavidas forman parte de un esfuerzo interinstitucional más amplio, que involucra a diversas entidades del Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil, cuyo trabajo se articulará desde el Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia (COE), habilitado desde hoy hasta el 6 de abril.
El despliegue de los guardavidas representa solo una parte del dispositivo que el Gobierno ha dispuesto para estas fechas. La estrategia contempla la instalación de puestos de mando en Sonsonate y San Salvador, donde históricamente se registra una importante concentración de feligreses y turistas, especialmente desde el Jueves Santo hasta el Domingo de Resurrección. Las autoridades prevén que la llegada masiva de visitantes aumente los riesgos asociados a actividades acuáticas y recreativas, por lo que la presencia de personal capacitado y recursos estratégicamente ubicados resulta esencial para la prevención y atención de emergencias.
En paralelo a la labor de los guardavidas, el Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil suma alrededor de 100,000 personas movilizadas para atender las distintas tareas de control, prevención, vigilancia y respuesta inmediata. Este contingente incluye equipos del Ministerio de Salud (Minsal), el Fondo Solidario para la Salud (Fosalud), la Superintendencia de Regulación Sanitaria (SRS), la Policía Nacional Civil (PNC), la Fuerza Armada, el Cuerpo de Bomberos, la Cruz Roja salvadoreña y el Sistema de Emergencias Médicas (SEM).
El director del Sistema de Emergencias Médicas, Carlos Orellana, informó que habrá 17 bases operativas a escala nacional, de las cuales 15 son terrestres, una aérea y una marítima. Además, se contará con más de 100 ambulancias terrestres, así como unidades aéreas y marítimas especializadas para atender cualquier eventualidad. Orellana insistió en la importancia de seguir las recomendaciones de las autoridades en todas las actividades al aire libre para minimizar los riesgos, recordando que la prevención es clave para evitar incidentes que lamentar.
A este dispositivo se suma el Cuerpo de Bomberos, que contará con más de 800 efectivos desplegados en todo el país y más de 170 inspectores encargados de labores preventivas. El director de la institución, Baltazar Solano, señaló que el sistema de respuesta estará disponible las 24 horas y recordó a la ciudadanía que el número de emergencia es el 913. Solano hizo énfasis en la necesidad de respetar las recomendaciones viales, evitar conducir bajo los efectos del alcohol o el uso del celular y respetar los límites de velocidad, ya que las estadísticas muestran un aumento de accidentes y víctimas durante el periodo vacacional.
En cuanto a las expectativas turísticas, la presidenta del Instituto Salvadoreño de Turismo, Eny Aguiñada, indicó que se espera la llegada de 1.7 millones de visitantes a los distintos sitios públicos administrados por el instituto y otras instituciones, así como al centro histórico y playas públicas. Para el turismo internacional, se proyecta recibir 145,000 visitantes, de los cuales el 38% proviene de Guatemala, el 20% de Honduras, el 28% de Estados Unidos y el 14% del resto del mundo.
La coordinación interinstitucional será fundamental para garantizar que la población y los turistas disfruten de las vacaciones con tranquilidad. Las autoridades han reiterado que el éxito del Plan Verano dependerá tanto del trabajo de los equipos de emergencia como de la colaboración de la ciudadanía, haciendo un llamado a acatar las indicaciones y mantener conductas responsables en todos los espacios públicos.
En suma, el despliegue de 342 guardavidas, junto a la movilización de miles de personas en tareas de prevención y respuesta, conforma el mayor esfuerzo de seguridad y protección civil implementado en El Salvador para unas vacaciones de Semana Santa. El plan busca reducir los riesgos y proteger la vida de los visitantes, en un contexto de alta movilidad y concentración de personas en balnearios y lugares turísticos del país.
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