ACLU of Santa Cruz County, CA

In late April, I joined chapter representatives from many Northern California ACLU Chapters for a training and lobbying exercise by the field activist coordinators working for ACLU of Northern California. It was a 2 day affair – Sunday we received trainings, going through the various positions and issues where civil liberties are at stake in pending California legislation. Monday we put our learning into effect, meeting with California legislators and informing them on our issues. I spoke with Assemblymember Bill Monning, and we discussed the need for state pushback on the Federal Real ID Act.

In 2005, Congress passed the Federal Real ID Act. They did this without review and over the objections of the National Governor’s Association and National Conference of State Legislatures. This Act creates national identification cards that would serve in place of current state drivers’ licenses. Without this card, you will not be able to board a plane or enter any federal building, and other restrictions would doubtless arise as well. Obtaining this card will be especially difficult for immigrants and potentially other citizens who fail to obtain all of the required documentation for any reason.

While not deterring or protecting against terrorism, the FRID Act will implement the most comprehensive and far-reaching database in American history. The existence of this database will expose millions of Americans to a higher risk of identity theft. The new cards will also require a massive overhaul of state DMV bureaucracies, and impose numerous burdens on people and state governments. Also of concern is the potential for discrimination and racial profiling. All this is estimated to cost $10 million - $750 million to California DMV alone. Twenty-two states have already come out in opposition or passed bans on Real ID Act implementation. California needs to also pass a ban on this very toxic Federal intrusion.

If these threats to your privacy concern you, we’ll love to have you contact us (info@aclusantacruz.org ) to see how we can work together. Our board meetings are the fourth Monday each month and are open to all aclu members.