REAL ID 'unnecessary in keeping us safe,' GOP lawmaker says as deadline looms

With the last REAL ID deadline looming this week, 1 House Republican lawmaker told Fox News Digital helium believes it's an "unnecessary" load connected Americans.

"I personally don't enactment the REAL ID. I deliberation that it's unnecessary successful keeping america safe," Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., told Fox News Digital successful an interview. 

The Missouri Republican said his authorities made it "very easy" for residents to comply with the coming May 7 deadline, though helium suggested helium didn't hold with it.

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A TSA agent, a DMV halfway and lines of travelers astatine a U.S. airport (Getty Images)

"I deliberation that erstwhile you look at, you know, this was implemented from recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. But yet each 1 of the terrorists that were present had a passport. I mean, they had much than conscionable a authorities ID. I don't deliberation immoderate of them were operating connected a authorities ID," Burlison said.

"It's erstwhile again authorities seeing an accidental successful making the lives of U.S. citizens much difficult."

REAL ID was created by instrumentality successful 2005, but the national authorities has delayed its implementation aggregate times, astir precocious successful 2022. But the Trump administration has made wide the existent May 7 deadline is final.

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Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., said REAL ID is "unnecessary" for safety. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

From then, a REAL ID volition beryllium needed for home hose question — alternatively than a mean state-issued licence — arsenic good arsenic successful areas wherever national recognition is required. 

Having a REAL ID itself is not required, peculiarly if 1 has a U.S. passport.

The Trump medication has argued that yet acting connected REAL ID helps the White House’s crackdown connected amerciable immigrants, millions of whom person entered the state since President Donald Trump was past successful office.

But the scramble to scope the deadline has led to agelong lines astatine DMVs, with immoderate states opening exigency locations successful airports and different places to assistance woody with the surge of radical seeking appointments.

REAL ID volition beryllium needed for home aerial question successful spot of a authorities ID. (Fox News)

When previously reached astir the deadline by Fox News Digital, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said, "Beginning connected May 7, passengers volition request a REAL ID oregon different acceptable signifier of recognition to fly, similar a passport oregon subject ID. TSA is committed to enforcing the law, arsenic directed by Congress.

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"Noncompliant passengers whitethorn expect hold times oregon further measures astatine airports. If you are an amerciable alien without a REAL ID, the lone mode you volition beryllium permitted to alert is if you are self-deporting," TSA said.

Fox News Digital reached retired to the TSA for remark connected Burlison's remarks.