(WXYZ) — Senator Gary Peters is raising concerns about the deadline for people to get a REAL-ID.
A REAL-ID is the new identification that Michigan residents will need to carry to board domestic flights or enter federal buildings.
Peters wrote a letter to the Department of Homeland Security that outlines why he believes not everyone is ready for the switch.
Peters also noted issues about possible travel interruptions in the event that people do not have the new ID before the deadline.
Beginning Oct. 1, all air travelers over the age of 18 will be required to present REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses to fly. Only 27 percent of Americans have been issued compliant IDs, Peters says.
“DHS’s efforts will play a crucial role in ensuring that the public is aware of the deadline and takes the necessary steps to acquire compliant identification. Additionally, it is critical that the Department do everything possible to ensure that Americans are not needlessly prevented from boarding flights to engage in business and tourism and visit family and friends. DHS should also develop contingency plans to deal with disruption at airports,” Peters and his colleagues wrote.
Read the full letter to DHS here.
For information on how to make your driver's license REAL-ID compliant, click here.
