Feds raise pressure on Oregon over IDs

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon is facing increasing pressure to adopt federal standards for its driver’s licenses and state-issued IDs before residents face additional scrutiny at secured areas, including airports.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has granted the state another extension of its deadline to comply with the Real ID Act of 2005, which laid out a series of standards for state-issued ID cards.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports ( http://bit.ly/2dC38h3 ) though previous extensions have been in effect for a year at a time, the latest will last through June — just long enough for the Legislature to convene. Alaska, California and Virginia all received similar limited extensions, while several other states received an entire year.

Congress passed the Real ID Act in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It requires higher standards of proof of legal U.S. residency and additional security measures that make the cards harder to replicate.