Governor Baldacci Will Submit Legislation to Place New Restrictions on Driver’s Licenses and State Credentials
AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci learned today from the Department of Homeland Security that Maine has been granted an extension to the May 11, 2008, implementation deadline for the REAL ID Act of 2005.
Earlier today, Governor Baldacci responded to a March 31 letter from DHS that asked Maine to take certain steps to improve the security of its driver’s license before an extension would be granted. In his letter to DHS, Governor Baldacci agreed to all the requirements.
“I have an obligation to make sure that State government acts in the best interest of all the people of Maine,” Governor Baldacci said. “I believe the requests made by the Department of Homeland Security are reasonable, and I will use the resources at my disposal to make sure they are implemented. I look forward to continuing to work with the Legislature and Secretary of State on these important issues.”
Without the extension, after May 11, 2008, Maine driver’s licenses would not have been acceptable for federal purposes, including travel on commercial airlines and entry into federal buildings.
“One of our goals in working with the federal government on this issue is to ensure that our people aren’t penalized because they’re from Maine,” Governor Baldacci said. “That’s unacceptable to me.”
“Our other goal is to enhance the security of our driver’s licenses,” Governor Baldacci said. “It’s time that Maine adds new safeguards to our credentials.”
The Governor was notified that Maine had been granted the extension during an early afternoon telephone call with Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Stewart Baker.
“I want to thank Secretary Chertoff and Assistant Secretary Baker for working directly with me on behalf of Maine,” Governor Baldacci said. “We’ve had a constructive dialogue, and I look forward to working with them as we implement these improvements.”
The Governor will submit legislation today that will limit state credentials to U.S. citizens or to others who can establish their legal presence in the country. In addition, the legislation will make the following changes to the process of issuing state credentials:
Maine will enter into an agreement with USCIS and utilize the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program to verify DHS documents presented by non-citizens. Maine will set the term for any license that it issues to lawfully present non-citizens so that the license’s term expires when the alien’s legal status ends. Maine will commit to looking into the most cost-effective way to ensure that customers do not have more than one driver’s license or identification card already issued by the state, such as facial recognition or similar technology.
Maine will also change its driver’s license procedures so that photographs are taken at the beginning of the process so that images are captured even if applications are not completed in their entirety.
