Napolitano, Chertoff sign agreement to create secure ID

The Associated Press

Published: 12.07.2007

A deal between Arizona and the federal government Thursday will mean new and more secure state driver's licenses, including one for use as ID at border crossings as early as next year.

Arizona becomes the fourth state to sign up for a federal program intended to offer an enhanced version of a driver's licenses as secure as a passport for the purpose of crossing the U.S. border under tighter, post-Sept. 11 security measures.

Gov. Janet Napolitano said Arizona's standard license eventually would comply with the program, known as Real ID, which is designed to make it harder for would-be terrorists to get a license.

Unlike Arizona's enhanced license, a Real ID license would not be sufficient proof of identity to enter the U.S. Both types of Arizona licenses will be available only to U.S. citizens.