American Samoa has been given a year’s extension to meet requirements of the REAL ID Act for local drivers licenses and ID cards.
A letter from Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Chief Diplomatic Officer, Office of Policy for the US Department of Homeland Security, Alan Bersin, to Public Safety Commissioner Save Liuato Tuitele contains the good news.
The extension to October 10, 2017 is to allow American Samoa to meet the standards of the REAL ID Act of 2005 and its implementing regulation.
For the duration of the extension, federal agencies may accept licenses and ID cards issued by American Samoa for official purposes in accordance with the phased enforcement schedule and existing agency policies.
This past summer, Director of Marine and Wildlife Resources, Dr. Ruth Matagi Tofiga, was stopped from entering a federal building in Honolulu because her American Samoa drivers license, which she presented as ID, was not compliant with the REAL ID Act.
The US Department of Homeland Security informed Commissioner Save that the extension is based on a review of the information provided “that demonstrates a commitment to meeting all remaining requirements.”
A report prepared by the local Dept of Homeland Security shows that since 2009, ASG spent $1.9 million to get American Samoa compliant with the REAL ID Act however the feds determined that the territory was not up to par with federal regulations and standards.
Commissioner Save was told that at any time, American Samoa may submit a compliance package for the US Department of Homeland Security to review.
If a further extension is needed, American Samoa must provide information regarding progress towards meeting any outstanding requirements, reasons for any unmet standards, and when the territory anticipates seeking a determination of full compliance from the department.
The feds alerted the commissioner that the consequences of continued non compliance with the REAL ID Act will continue to grow.
For example, military bases, nuclear power plants and federal facilities may accept stated issued drivers licenses or ID cards for access purposes only if the document is issued by a state that is REAL ID compliant or that has received an extension.
The commissioner was also told that Transportation Security Administration will begin REAL ID enforcement for boarding commercial aircraft on January 22, 2018.
As a result, from that time onwards, air travelers with a driver’s license or ID card issued by a state that does not meet the requirements of the REAL ID Act must present an alternative form of ID acceptable to TSA in order to board a commercial flight.
