New travel rules, same confusion: 'REAL ID' raises questions, concerns among college-aged travelers

The month of May kicks off the start of the U S summer voyage season and nowhere is that felt more acutely than on college campuses where students are closing laptops submitting finals and streaming off campus in droves However particular may not get past the airport thanks to a federal ID rule taking effect just as school's out The Department of Homeland Safeguard set the May enforcement date for REAL ID last year but the law itself has been delayed for nearly two decades Congress passed it in before greater part current college freshmen were even born With the deadline landing right after spring semester ends there is real concern that students heading home could be confused or caught flat-footed by the new requirements We have tens of thousands of folks weekly that are showing up at our driver s license centers to get the REAL ID Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Michael Carroll stated at a press conference this week It s a real challenge for us right now because folks have waited until the last minute On campuses the buzz in the air is almost palpable as first-year students clamor to share their summer plans either to far-flung destinations or to visit friends and family For a large number of their plans include absolutely packing a carry-on grabbing friends and escaping as soon as attainable to a beach for sun-drenched surf and relaxation However for certain travelers lacking a REAL ID or confused about what the law means for them this update could pose specific very real very unexpected fences to summer movement REAL ID RENEWS AMERICA'S AGE-OLD DREAD OF THE DMVSome students were prepared Riley Davis a junior at the University of Alabama disclosed she obtained a REAL ID-compliant license earlier this year I first heard about Real ID on social media last year and got the star added when I renewed my license this year Davis narrated Fox News Digital She praised her state's process as super fast and easy noting that she was also able to register for the appointment online at her local DMV an option available in certain states Most of college freshmen just wrapped up two intense semesters adjusting to academic pressures building new friendships and navigating the quirks of dorm life all while living away from home for the first time Countless also turned just before or during their first year meaning they may have only lately become eligible for a REAL ID which is issued to U S residents and older It is unclear how multiple college-aged Americans are at this moment in compliance with REAL ID requirements Current estimates are limited and vary from state to state New Jersey's REAL ID compliance is the lowest in the country at last month according to evidence compiled by CBS News Pennsylvania and New York published compliance rates of just and respectively IDENTITY OF SECOND DEPORTED MAN WHO JUDGE WANTS RETURNED TO US REVEALED AS TRUMP ADMIN FIGHTS ORDERCollege students have cited confusion in current conversations with friends and family about the new IDs and enforcement as well as whether other documents such as a passport would be sufficient For anyone who is not prepared to meet REAL ID requirements either because of when they turned or due to confusion over the law's enforcement date they could face long lines and key wait times before they are cleared to fly domestically if they can secure an appointment at all Administrators in New Jersey for example noted they post thousands of new slots a day for residents to obtain REAL ID licenses slots that have booked up almost this instant due to the backlog of residents waiting to apply Alabama also warned that its appointments are filling up fast especially in larger cities and may not be available online due to the last-minute crush If appointments are booked in your area please check other nearby examining offices Alabama state personnel mentioned last month NEED REAL ID IN A HURRY HERE ARE PARTICULAR OPTIONS OUTSIDE THE DMVOther states are also dealing with an eleventh-hour surge in visitors clamoring to obtain a REAL ID before they trip Brilyn Hollyhand an -year-old college trainee and political commentator who met just days earlier with President Donald Trump explained Fox News Digital this week that his issue is not with REAL IDs but the way they will be used or not used for that matter I think it s insane and stupid that we require an ID to fly domestically but not to vote Hollyhand disclosed of the new requirements which also apply to domestic flights It s simple he added If you need an ID to fly and visit your grandmother out of state you need it to cast your ballot to decide the future of our nation A great number of young travelers mistakenly believe their current IDs will still work even if they lack the star in the top right corner that indicates REAL ID compliance Others do not realize that a valid passport can also be used for air passage under the new rules adding to the confusion Garrett McDonalds a sophomore at Auburn University mentioned his parents described him about the new ID requirements after they got their own licenses renewed prompting him to renew his own ahead of the deadline He described the process as easy and crazy smooth so long as applicants bring the right paperwork Now it should be easier to fly and hopefully I don t have to worry about losing my passport on trips anymore he mentioned TSA agents have warned that individuals without REAL IDs will be subject to additional screening beginning May and should prepare for additional time at the airport before their flights