TSA May Soon Reject Some Drivers' Licenses

Everyone should have a passport regardless of whether they think they want or need one at the moment. Better yet, have dual citizenship and two passports. One never know what could happen in the future.

Everyone should have a passport regardless of whether they think they want or need one at the moment. Better yet, have dual citizenship and two passports. One never know what could happen in the future.

And also, a large supply of tin foil. 🙂

Everyone should have a passport regardless of whether they think they want or need one at the moment. Better yet, have dual citizenship and two passports. One never know what could happen in the future.

And also, a large supply of tin foil. 🙂

Yeah, because planning for the future is a terrible idea; what a nut job!

Hi !

I am not sure about STX and STT, but it is damn near impossible to get a license, or to renew a license here on STJ. The ID requirements, which when explained is due to the Homeland Security reasons they post at the BMV, require 2 approved documents showing a physical address. With PO Boxes the norm, this is almost impossible for renters, and a notarized letter from your landlord is needed. Also, if the agent deems it is not dark enough print, that too can be denied, due to Homeland security statutes. It is a 3 to 4 return trip process. Just sayin.....

IDs with physical address are required for many things like opening bank account. Most will accept utility bills, but it's almost impossible for anybody to keep up with all the document requirements for all agencies.

The other issue here is that states are now issuing driver licenses to illegal aliens along with giving them in state tuition and other perks that are granted to U.S. citizens
One local immigration agent made a comment last year "just because you have a diver license only proves that you can drive, not that you are a U.S. Citizen"
I agree 100% with this person.
It is time to protect our borders and that includes the USVI

The other issue here is that states are now issuing driver licenses to illegal aliens along with giving them in state tuition and other perks that are granted to U.S. citizens
One local immigration agent made a comment last year "just because you have a diver license only proves that you can drive, not that you are a U.S. Citizen"
I agree 100% with this person.
It is time to protect our borders and that includes the USVI

A driver's license is not, nor has ever been, recognized documentation for proof of citizenship, only photographic ID. CBP advises all those returning to the US mainland from the USVI who do not have passports to carry photographic ID and a copy of their birth certificate in case they're asked for:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/980/kw/reentry%20from%20us%20virgin%20islands/session/L3NpZC91dTRBY3E2bA%3D%3D/p/0/c/0

Senator Francis makes statements about Real ID and the territory.

http://stcroixsource.com/content/news/local-news/2016/01/04/sen-francis-vi-needs-resolve-real-id-issues

http://www.travelzoo.com/blog/tsa-stop-taking-drivers-licenses-9-u-s-locations/

Hi !

I am not sure about STX and STT, but it is damn near impossible to get a license, or to renew a license here on STJ. The ID requirements, which when explained is due to the Homeland Security reasons they post at the BMV, require 2 approved documents showing a physical address. With PO Boxes the norm, this is almost impossible for renters, and a notarized letter from your landlord is needed. Also, if the agent deems it is not dark enough print, that too can be denied, due to Homeland security statutes. It is a 3 to 4 return trip process. Just sayin.....

All renters should have at least a WAPA bill with the physical address and a lease agreement that also has the physical address. I also put my car insurance in my physical address. I would assume most renters have a cable or internet bill also. Ive been to the BMV in STJ when I bought my car, was pretty straight forward but I want getting licenses just title and such. The BMV in STT last two times i went was amazing. In and out with new tags and new title in under 20 min.

I pay a flat rate inclusive of cable, Internet and wapa. So no bills with physical address. Lease agreement and title to car or like you said insurance.

Should have. But not all people are like you. Or like me. No WAPA, telephone, rent or any other bills. None. I had to get affidavits to provide proof of address.

If you own property, you can use a copy of deed or property tax bill.

If........

Looks like we won't be meeting the federal mandated deadline for the New drivers licenses. Apparently, $2Million dollars was appropriated for this but there's no accounting for it nor has it been done so Mr. Olive as requested an audit to find out where the money went and Mapp has requested to the federal government an extension of the deadline.

On Friday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) delayed the full implementation of the REAL ID Act requirements until January 22, 2018. As previously noted, the REAL ID Act sets standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards acceptable by federal agencies for official purposes, including boarding a commercial flight. A two year extension has been given before the TSA will start requiring compliant driver's licenses at airport security checkpoints..

According to the DHS announcement: "Effective January 22, 2018, air travelers with a driver's license or identification card issued by a state that does not meet the requirements of the REAL ID Act (unless that state has been granted an extension to comply with the Act) must present an alternative form of identification acceptable to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in order to board a commercial domestic flight."

The complete DHS announcement can be found http://www.dhs.gov/news/2016/01/08/statement-secretary-jeh-c-johnson-final-phase-real-id-act-implementatio n">here.

Apparently, a company here was contracted to do the work and disappeared before work done. There were a few articles about it not too long ago in local papers. This was prior to Mr. Olive taking over as head of BMV and he discovered the inadequacy of the system and the lack of documentation of where the $2M appropriated for the project went as well as fact contractor/business no longer in communication/on island. Hence his request for audit by OIG.

http://m.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/homeland-security-secretary-delays-real-id-deadline-for-travelers-1.1993175

http://m.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/v-i-seeks-extension-for-implementing-real-id-1.1991505

http://m.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/real-id-system-not-ready-to-roll-in-usvi-1.1991063

Apparently, a company here was contracted to do the work and disappeared before work done. There were a few articles about it not too long ago in local papers. This was prior to Mr. Olive taking over as head of BMV and he discovered the inadequacy of the system and the lack of documentation of where the $2M appropriated /quote]

BizVi has not gone anywhere. They have a office waterfront STT, they also have the Career.VI website. It should also be noted that they are/were in process of suing Olive over his comments about their work on the system.....

 

They were given several opportunities to respond in court and never did. Think the judge gave them 6 opportunities and they failed to comply and respond so the case was dismissed. Attempts at contact failed so maybe that's why I thought they'd packed up shop.
Think their attorney bowed out of the case due to non payment towards the end.
Can't remember the whole riggamarole.
I guess we'll find out sooner or later.

$2MILLION spent on a non functioning system is a lot of $$$$$$$$.

Found the link.

http://m.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/judge-dismisses-lawsuit-against-bmv-director-1.1991062

So you believe Recon's side of the story?

I didn't say what I believe.

Passports are effing expensive, thats why OT. It cost us $220 each 5 years ago. Thats not cheap and if you're a family of 4, yea I can see why a lot don't. Plus the process from what I remember was kind of annoying - can't remember why but I think we had to go to three places for stuff. I also remember I had to send in my original birth cert - through the mail. I was pretty reluctant to do that but all went ok.

Everyone should have a passport these days, despite the cost.

I have to renew mine.
Can hardly wait to see that requires these days, here in STT.

You should be able to renew through the mail, just send in a new passport photo with old passport. They will return old passport and new passport.