Based on these arguments, several states have already refused the implementation of the Real ID Act on their territory and in many other states there are pending bills regarding the non-implementation of the Act (Behreadt, 2007). Of course, there are states such as California or New York which support the implementation of the Real ID Act, but their number is considerably smaller than the number of states that have already refused to implement the new legislation.
Establishing a national identity card represents one of the steps taken by the American government to create a surveillance society in which the government can have access to all type of data regarding a person under the reason of fighting against terrorism. In fact, it is unlikely that the Real ID Act will discourage terrorism, as terrorists will continue to find ways to obtain identification. The Real ID Act is clearly directed against immigrants, who would have to present extensive documentation for obtaining ID cards and driver's licenses. Besides, those that do not have their birth certificates would also have great problems getting a Real ID and this can be particularly difficult for those affected by Hurricane Katrina, for example....
The Real ID Act remains controversial and it will most likely take longer than 2009 to implement it in all states, if such a thing is possible in the current form of the Act.
Bibliography
Behreandt, D., "Pushing national ID's: Congress tried its best to shackle the nation with a national ID through passage of the Real ID Act. Now several states try to roll back the measure.," in the New American, Vol. 23, July 9, 2007;
Documentation provisions of the Real ID Act, November, 2005, available at http://migrationpolicy.org/ITFIAF/Backgrounder_Jernegan.pdf
Florence, J., "Making the no fly list fly: a due process model for terrorist watchlists," in Yale Law Journal, Vol. 115, 2006;
Gaur, N., Baker, D., and L. Gioia, Real ID- the art of the possible, available at http://www.diamondconsultants.com/PublicSite/ideas/perspectives/downloads/INSIGHT%20-%20Real%20ID.pdf;
The Real ID Act: National Impact Analysis, presented by the National Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, September 2006, available at http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/0609REALID.pdf.
