Travelers without 'REAL ID' to be allowed to fly: US homeland security chief
'If it's not compliant, they may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step, but people will be allowed to fly,' says Kristi Noem

WASHINGTON
US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem said Tuesday that travelers who do not have enhanced ID cards by the May 7 deadline will be allowed to fly.
During her testimony before the House Appropriations Committee on DHS oversight, Noem said "REAL ID" will be enforced Wednesday.
She said 81% of travelers who use airlines in the US already have IDs that comply with the requirements.
"If it's not compliant, they may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step, but people will be allowed to fly," she added.
REAL ID is a federally compliant state-issued license or identification card that Homeland Security said is a more secure form of identification. It was passed by Congress in 2005.