A REAL ID compliant driver's license has a gold star in the upper right corner.
Beginning Wednesday, May 7th, the federal government says U.S. travelers must be Real ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities.
The push for this began in the weeks immediately following the 9/11 attacks, and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently put out a video to help get the word out.
"These IDs keep our country safe," she said. "They help prevent fraud, and they enhance security. Please do your part to protect our country."
Twila Brase, RN and president/co-founder of Citizens' Council for Health Freedom, however, has been sounding the alarm about it for years. She says it is an unconstitutional national ID system that could exert control over people's lives beyond the airport.
Brase believes the Real ID could lead to a future administration having a China-like social credit system in which the government tracks people's transactions.
"Depending on who is in charge, they might decide this is the perfect opportunity to track you, to control your transactions," she warns. "Access to medical care, getting a marriage license, renting a hotel, buying guns – anything that the secretary of Homeland Security decides it has to be required for, it will be required for."
Brase advises everyone who has a Real ID to turn it in for a standard driver's license. She points out that travelers do not need this to fly.
"It will be easier if you have a document that the TSA finds acceptable," she notes. "That will include your passport and about 16 different identification options."
