Real ID free legal fair will help people — safely

In 2005, the U.S. Congress passed the Real ID Act, which is set to go into effect in 2020. The purpose of the act is to provide safety measures for accessing federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and boarding federally regulated commercial aircrafts.

The act leaves it to the states to develop a process for complying with this federal law. Failing to comply means that citizens of noncompliant states will have difficulty traveling through these federal facilities until the states make the necessary changes to processes for issuing identification cards.

Fast-forwarding after the passage of the act, there have been many issues as New Mexico adopts Real ID standards. People are stuck in lines, filling out paperwork, paying court fees, and feeling uncertain about how to meet the Real ID requirements.

As a majority-minority state with diversity among immigrant and native populations, New Mexicans have a different reality in regards to a seemingly simple part of one’s identity.

The names of many Hispanics were anglicized during the English-only movement.

For example, if your name was Lucia, your teacher said your name would be Lucy, or your parents, wishing to protect you from additional punishment, registered you as Lucy. That name eventually made its way to government documents, such as a Social Security card, bank account, and/or driver’s license.

Residents of rural areas or those who lack a physical street address may have difficulty getting a Real ID-compliant ID.

Many Native populations residing in rural areas face a costly and time-consuming process for proving their physical addresses, with little to no chance of getting a waiver or exemption.

While Real ID was designed to bolster national security efforts, people who have lost their birth certificates or had their names listed differently on government documents, through no choice of their own, now face significant obstacles compared to others.

Fortunately, the legal community is stepping up to help people navigate the Real ID path. The public is invited to attend the Real ID legal fair, a free onestop shop.

The New Mexico Department of Health Bureau of Vital Records, the Motor Vehicle Division Mobile Unit, volunteer lawyers and law students, Second Judicial District Court Judges and bilingual staff will be available to help community members with the process of obtaining a Real ID-compliant in a safe place this Saturday in Albuquerque.

Zackary Quintero is a third-year law student at the University of New Mexico and a clinic student for the summer. His father is one of nine and mother is one of 12 and he will be the first to practice law in his amily. Zack, from Las Cruces, resides in Albuquerque.