I was reading about that today super secure driving licenses, enhanced driver’s licenses, and long range RFID technology that meet the REAL ID or WHTI requirements in 2008.
It looks like a few states want to test it out on a pilot test basis, but what I'm seeing is all this talk is directed at the Canadian border, as I have yet to read anything about the Mexican border?( should work in Mexico too?) Crossing the Canadian border doesn't seem to be an issue with most Americans, just like Canadian trucks can drive anywhere they want in the US. But once you start talking Mexico, it's a whole new ball game. It's as everybody believes that Terrorist, Columbian drug lords, and illegal immigrants only come in through the southern border on the Mexican/US side?
I think they just avoid talking about Mexico because they know people will object to it. The technology looks promising but it's not without it's share of critics. They say at least long range RFID is meant to track packages in a warehouse not people. So this also brings up 'big brother' issues. some say there is no security methods to prevent anyone from re-programing the cards, and that it is incompatible to the current technology in the new e-passports.
so I think the pilot problems will happen, but it's still a long way off that before we start using enhanced driver’s licenses in California. ( I could hear them screaming now illegal Mexican immigration)
I also haven't heard anything about the new cheaper 'PASSCARDS' and don't believe they would be popular, because you just might as well pay $100 dollars for a passport, but I'm still waiting to hear something about them, and not something from a old website a year old.
The only thing we know for sure maybe is this coming January 31, 2008, you can't cross over into Tijuana and back without at least a drivers license( not the enhanced ones) and a Birth certificate( not a cheap copy either) You still do not need a passport this coming new year in 2008 at least half the year. So remember starting this Jan 31, you only need a birth certificate and your regular drivers license.
Then they say this coming 'SUMMER" some time in the summer you'll also need a valid passport or other documents as determined by Homeland Security. But the say isn't exact, it only said in some time in the SUMMER of 2008. Many peole including myself believe they will delay it due to a number of reasons, and in fact just read something from a congresswomen who deals with this issue, is she wants it delayed to fall, as the summer months are too busy, and if I recall she wants the passport requirements delayed to at least 2009?