Remember my post that noted an error in Slashdot and Reason reporting about REAL IDs for non-citizens?
No, you don’t have to be a citizen to get a REAL ID.
But your REAL ID is tied to your authorization to be in the United States, and expires on the same date as your authorization to be here.
Well, that’s how it’s supposed to work.
In California, the date calculations (based upon 2006 legacy code) were screwed up for 300,000 legal residents.
“The error overrode the correct expiration date, which should have matched the end of the cardholder’s authorized stay in the United States. Under federal rules, immigrants with legal status — including permanent residents, green card holders and visa holders — are eligible for REAL IDs, but the cards’ expiration dates must align with the length of their authorized stay.”
Except when they don’t.
And for those who believe that granting REAL IDs to non-citizens is an example of California breaking the law:
- The DHS approved California’s REAL IDs in April 2019 under President Trump.
- Check reliably red South Dakota’s REAL ID requirements.
“If you’re not a U.S. citizen, you must apply in person at a state driver exam station and provide a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration document proving your lawful status in the U.S.”
Bredemarket 