How to Get a Real ID Card in New York

Proof of one’s identity is essential for daily living, whether renting an apartment, cashing a check, receiving medical care or even flying domestically. An official ID card can be used to rent an apartment, cash a check, receive medical treatment and more; and can even be used as travel ID by the federal government for travel within the country and entry to secure facilities like military bases and the White House. But getting real id cards may not come easily for migrants even with legislation like 2005 REAL ID Act providing avenues for states and localities to issue forms of ID regardless of immigration status –

New York’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers three forms of identification. A standard license, enhanced ID card and REAL ID can all be obtained. However, enhanced and REAL ID cards comply with federal requirements and can be used for domestic flights while standard licenses do not. To reduce wait times at appointments with the DMV online registration is recommended to reduce wait times as well as bringing all relevant documents with you for your appointment.

Though this law provides some immigrants a pathway to obtain state-issued identification cards, it also restricts many undocumented residents from applying for REAL IDs that will enable them to fly or gain entry to federal facilities as they fail to fulfill its requirement that legal status must be documented. Furthermore, mandating state governments engage in immigration enforcement via REAL ID laws is contrary to the Tenth Amendment.