This article was prepared with the assistance of ABIL, the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers, of which Loan Huynh is an active member.
On May 7, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced full implementation of REAL ID enforcement measures at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints nationwide. DHS said that 81% of travelers are already REAL ID compliant. According to DHS, all states, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories are REAL ID compliant and issuing REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses and identification documents.
“Passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not REAL ID compliant at TSA checkpoints and who do not have another acceptable alternative form of ID will be notified of their non-compliance and may be directed to a separate area to receive additional screening,” DHS said. The agency noted that REAL ID-compliant cards have a star marking on the upper top portion of the card. Examples:
If the card does not have a star marking, it is not REAL ID compliant and will not be accepted as proof of identity to board a commercial aircraft, DHS said.
Enhanced Driver’s Licenses and Enhanced Identification cards (EDL/EID) are also acceptable forms of identification and can be used to board a commercial aircraft. EDLs/EIDs can be identified by an image of the U.S. flag and the word Enhanced at the top of the card.
