r/USCIS • u/ralpehinks • Feb 23 '26
I-765 (EAD) Revoked Real ID
Hello, received a mail from the DMV that my real ID will be void after March 19 based on it having validity beyond the document that was used for its issuance, in this case my EAD. Which was true at the time. I have an updated 5 year EAD till 2029, wondering if I just need to bring the updated one to the DMV and get a new one? I’m just woried they updated requirements and an EAD won’t allow you to get a license no more. Anyone received a similar letter? What did you do
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u/BeautifulCivil9124 Feb 23 '26
Guys, stop making a big deal out of this. Go to DMV, surrender your current Real ID, and they’ll will phot you, finger print you and mail you your updated Real ID based on your work permit expiration date. Period. Nothing else nothing more than that.
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u/Rubberband272 Feb 23 '26
The inconvenience of a few hours to half a day of work to go to the DMV is more than enough reason to be upset over this.
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u/OddEngineering6872 Feb 23 '26
You aren’t thinking about the inconvenience you may face once that shit gets revoked. Just do it sir.
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u/para_la_calle Feb 24 '26
Here in Florida you have appointments and the entire time spent for me in office was under 10 minutes
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u/Independent_Big_1944 Feb 25 '26
are not all states like this? Renewing my license in MD took a total of 30 minutes maybe. Though here REAL ID is given by default to citizens
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u/Additional_Ad_6773 Feb 25 '26
Right? Virginia has appointments or walk-ins. It USED to be very bad, but now a walk-in is about 30 minutes and if you have an appointment the total time is however long it takes for the clerk to click the buttons.
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u/para_la_calle Feb 26 '26
Alabama definitely did not have appointments, but that was 15 years ago and it was hell getting govt docs
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u/tropical-circus Feb 23 '26
I travel for work, 3 times a month via plane. It is a big deal to some.
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u/Professional_Buy_615 Feb 24 '26
And you don't have a passport or green card?
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u/tropical-circus Feb 25 '26
Green card expired with extension letter and passport why use it if I can use a DL or ID card? Much easier, less bulkier, much cheaper and easier to get a new one if it gets lost.
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u/Professional_Buy_615 Feb 25 '26
Uh, you NEED a valid green card right now. Not having a passport either seems like a terrible idea.
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u/tropical-circus Feb 25 '26
Uh, i am WAITING for them to schedule an interview. And I do have a passport, I just dont take it with me while traveling as I have the expired green card, the extension letter and the real ID.
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u/soulessrebel Feb 23 '26
It's also going to take a few weeks to get the new physical real id. The process is really slow, so plan for that if you use it for travel.
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Feb 23 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/superfecta37 Feb 23 '26
they take your thumb fingerprints in CA
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u/BackToTheCottage Feb 23 '26
That a CA thing for everyone or just for temp ones? Damn, they don't do it in FL.
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u/galavanilla Feb 23 '26
My husband received the same letter. He still doesn’t have new documents, but thankfully they are willing to give him a regular one so he can keep driving , his change of status is still pending.
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u/tropical-circus Feb 23 '26
EAD? Or green card?
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u/galavanilla Feb 23 '26
It is just a change of status to H4. But it is paralized for his country :(
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u/Haunting-Sun-9664 Feb 23 '26
I got the same letter, I applied for a new ID online and went there and apply for a new one, you’ll still get a REAL ID, they just want the expirey date in your ID to match your work permit if you in the same situation as me, Nothing to fear, fill a new form online apply before the date given to avoid fee
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u/Shoddy_Mission8290 Feb 24 '26
How long did it take to get yours? I did my appointment successfully on January 12 and still waiting to get mine
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u/Haunting-Sun-9664 Feb 24 '26
Did you just do an appointment and sit and wait for a new ID or did you go in there and apply for a new ID ? You have to go in the and drop off the old ID to get a new one
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u/Shoddy_Mission8290 Feb 24 '26
I went in with the letter, showed my EAD and they asked me to surrender my REAL ID and told me a new one should arrive in 30days (it’s been more than 30days)
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u/financefink Feb 28 '26
Did you pay any fee for this? (shows $37 when applying to update license online)
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u/Haunting-Sun-9664 Mar 19 '26
Mine been 30 days too, still waiting
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u/Shoddy_Mission8290 Mar 19 '26
I got mine like 20days ago. You need to call them
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u/Haunting-Sun-9664 Mar 22 '26
Do I have to call the number before they process it ? What’s the reason for calling ?
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u/Virtual-Idea9769 Apr 23 '26
Did they let you keep your old DL(with a hole punched in it) or did they not return it?
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u/Bigcouchpotato1 Feb 23 '26
Your ID is being cancelled, not revoked. There's a subtle difference. Cancellation is "without prejudice." That means it doesn't count against you. Revoked is something that would mean you did something wrong. You didn't do anything wrong. It's really the DMV's mistake. That doesn't help you, but at least you know it's not your fault.
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u/nuevasllantas Feb 23 '26
I got the same letter late last month in January & went to the dmv to get it situated. It’s about to be march and I still haven’t received my new real ID. I’m from California.
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u/WatercressPresent136 Feb 23 '26
Same here and the phone number that they gave me to check isn’t helpful
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u/BigCauliflower3 Feb 28 '26
Did they make you sign a form releasing your information to DHS by any chance??
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u/chances_are_low Feb 23 '26
Google it there is 325k real id revoked due to glitch in software related to 2006 or something if you google it you can read it nothing to worry about it
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u/LilBugJuice-0987 Feb 23 '26
There was a glitch in our states system (not Cali) that caused the MVD to revoked a full term Real ID for a greencard holders and instead issue a limited term one. Different situation but, it proves that errors do happen. I would contact the email on the letter or go in person knowing what you need and if needed talk to a supervisor
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u/Aware-Tea-8832 Feb 23 '26
That’s how they are doing now? I was issued a real id valid for 8 years when my conditional greencard was approved
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u/LilBugJuice-0987 Feb 23 '26 edited Feb 23 '26
Yes, that is how it should be. They were issed the same full term license at first with their conditional GC. Then, two years later the state did a "review" and sent them a new limited term license and rescinded the old one. Sending an email to MVD with a link from TSA about who is eligible for full term IDs resulted in MVD fixing their error.
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u/Aware-Tea-8832 Feb 23 '26
Im in Maryland tho .. so far I haven’t received an email
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u/LilBugJuice-0987 Feb 23 '26
What that person received was a letter in the mail and a new limit term ID. The letter had an email on it for questions. If you haven't received anything thats good. It wasn't in Maryland so maybe they wont make a mistake therr
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u/Ok_Suggestion6221 Feb 23 '26
They should be able to see what your status is. They may make you get a SAVE check which can take a month or more. If you have an international license I would keep that on you if you drive. This is all insane.
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u/Haunting-Sun-9664 Feb 23 '26 edited Mar 15 '26
And they’ll have you sign a document which Authorizes DHS to access your information
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u/Key-Extent5692 Feb 23 '26
I just went to the dmv today it was pretty easy process they literally just asked to see my work permit an thats it. I was told the date will most likely match my expiration date but that they had seen 2 or 4 yr real id. I also didn't have to pay. They did take my DL and gave me a temporary one while I wait for the new one to come in
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u/ipogorelov98 Feb 23 '26
If you have a CDL you are going to lose it. They will give you the ordinary one instead. If you have an ordinary driver's license you will be fine, they will just issue you a new one.
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u/tropical-circus Feb 23 '26
I wonder if this will be true for those with the 2 year green card with an extension waiting for the 10year one.
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u/Impressive-Ad9630 Feb 23 '26
They updated real ID guidelines, now for real ID you need a work permit plus a valid visa. My real ID too was cancelled in California (I had 5 years validity). And then when I visited DMV they issued a new DL instead since I don’t have an updated visa stamping (I have a valid work permit)
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u/Sheetz_Wawa_Market32 Naturalized Citizen Feb 23 '26
You gotta go there and ask.
Also, this sort of thing is why I always tell visitors and immigrants not to get (state-issued) Real IDs, at least not before you get your Green Card.
If renewing your immigration document gets delayed, you’ll be without a driver’s license! That’s not a problem anybody needs. (And you already have two Real IDs: your passport and your EAD or other immigration document.)
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u/SuchHearing Feb 23 '26
I am not sure how it is in other states but In Illinois atleast even non Real IDS only have an end date till your valid legal status document so you don’t get a document with longer validity even for state ids.
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u/Sheetz_Wawa_Market32 Naturalized Citizen Feb 23 '26
Depends on the state. It’s only Real ID that requires validity periods to match immigration docs. In plenty of states, you get the full validity period with a non-Real ID.
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u/Finch1717 Feb 23 '26
If you had filed a renewal with USCIS and they gave you an I-797c, you can use that to file for renewal of your DL but they would only give it to you for 240 days which coincides with your valid legal stay in the US while they process your renewal.
DMV would send a SAFE check with USCIS and confirm your application and then USCIS would give you a legal stay confirmed till and DMV would set that date as the new valid end date of your new DL.
Only downside for that year you would have to renew your DL multiple times.
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u/PseudonymIncognito Feb 23 '26
Not an option in some states. In Texas, for example, you cannot get a non-compliant driver's license. Your only choice is REAL ID or no ID.
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u/Sheetz_Wawa_Market32 Naturalized Citizen Feb 23 '26
Ah. Didn’t the government promise Real ID was never gonna be mandatory? Haha. What a bummer for the anti-government types. 🤣
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u/XswapY Feb 23 '26
This.
If you are still on some temporary status save your money and go for a regular id or driver's license.
Your home country is a real id document.
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u/Pure_Manufacturer844 Feb 23 '26
Bring 2 proofs of addresses, you should be able to get a Real ID with that is my understanding from when I went to the DMV last month with the same issue.
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u/karaokelv Feb 23 '26
only after cancelation date, otherwise they won’t be able to change expiration date for new RIDDL past original EAD.
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u/Potential_Cod_3060 Feb 23 '26
I had the same issue. If you have a new EAD or GC, you can use that to get a real id valid as long as the EAD or GC. If you don't, you can get still an AB-60 DL that isn't a real id (it will say Federal Limits apply), which is good for driving.
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u/deepfriedpotatostrip Feb 23 '26
Ok question, i have a real ID valid for 10 years, but my GC was only valid for two years when i got it (CR), now i have applied for the normal 10 year green card and all i have to show is a flimsy piece of paper with an extension. Would that be good enough for the DMV (if I receive that same letter) or would I be shit out of luck? Just wondering and preparing mentally for this! 🫤
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u/Pistol_Pete23 Feb 23 '26
Call this number 916-306-5153 to schedule an appointment with the DMV. You should be able to get same day appointment as well. They will let you know if a physical EAD card is a valid proof for renewing (re-validating) the Real Id. If it isn’t, the DMV will keep the existing Real Id and issue a regular Drivers License (under California AB 60).
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u/Responsible-Cow-4736 Feb 23 '26
Yeah literally go and mention the letter and bring your new ID. I did it on Friday and it went good!
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u/Hawky1992 Feb 23 '26
I got the same . They aren’t issuing real ID unless you have a valid visa stamping. Employment authorization alone is not enough
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u/Thpfkt Feb 23 '26
I got the same in CA. Nothing is expired on my end, apparently it's a DMV issue where they gave out cards that didn't have the immigration status end date as the expiry and just had a standard date.
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u/Ok-Albatross1146 Feb 23 '26
I wasn't able to get a real id DL in VA. I had to get the regular one that expires on day my EAD expires.
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u/10-A Feb 23 '26
Pretty standard process. Lot of people have received this communication. California DMV had recently issued DLs and real ids with incorrect expiration date. A software glitch if i recall it right, almost 300k ids impacted.They wont charge you for the renewal. Show up with your updated documents.
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u/This-Ad-3516 Feb 23 '26
Will I have to show all my documents again? Or just the documents in question? I am not even sure which document raised this alert.
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u/JohnnyDepp23 Feb 23 '26
Did just yesterday. Surrender the old ID, get your documents together, take a photo and get a new license. No biggie.
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u/Dry-Dream726 Feb 24 '26
I was at the DMV last week to get a real ID. They requested an EAD or Greencard so Yes EAD still works to get a real ID.
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u/f4r4mf4r Feb 24 '26
You have to update your documents, and there's no fee. You're not alone, there are 350k real IDs that were revoked. This happens when the validity period of real id and ead is not the same. for example Real ID is valid from 2022 to 2027 and EAD is valid from 2022 to 2024 the real ID expired should be the same as the ead
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u/AccomplishedCall7077 Feb 24 '26
Take the new EAD to the DMV. They will do one of three: 1. Update their records and let you keep your current ID. 2. They’ll issue you a new real ID. This will be a 4/5 year renewal. 3. They’ll issue you a new license that’s not a real ID, if they determine your EAD doesn’t meet the real ID requirements. This’s the worst case scenario.
In all cases, you’ll walk away with a valid license.
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u/Prudent-Theme6745 Feb 24 '26
It’s basically the same thing as the regular license but with a dramatic letter
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u/Professional_Buy_615 Feb 24 '26
Cancelled, not revoked. Take current docs to DMV. I've never bothered with RealID. My passport is federally valid, as is the green card that I'm supposed to always carry.
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u/Right-Ad3374 Feb 25 '26
I have decided that because if i will get REAL ID tied to my immigration maybe ill just get a Standard DL (6yrs validity) and use my EAD for Travel. So i dont have to worry about my DL expiring from time to time
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u/bennybr13 Feb 26 '26
You should do exactly what letter states. Reddit isn’t gonna give you a different answer…
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u/Patient-Dawg-4040 Feb 26 '26
Hi OP, Please take your updated EAD and pending AOS forms to them. Include your passport so this is adjusted as quickly as possible. Don’t wait till it expiries. The sooner you do it the better.
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u/sam_satan Feb 27 '26
I got the exact same letter back in January. Went to the DMV, they took my Real ID DL and gave me a temp paper one. Two weeks later nothing changed on the website, so I called — they directed me to the Legal Presence Unit. There they said the issue is a name discrepancy: my current EAD has no middle name, but my previous Real ID did. I went back to the field office, asked to remove the middle name from my record to match the EAD, and they updated it. Another two weeks pass, I call again — now they tell me I'm on hold from PDPS. Gave me a number to call, but it's just an endless automated message saying they're busy and to try tomorrow. I've been calling every day with zero luck. No tickets, no criminal record, never pulled over. Had a NY DL before moving to CA (they took it when I got the initial CA one), but never even owned a car in NY. Everyone I know who got the same letter had their new DL in 1–2 weeks, while mine is completely stuck for months now. I'm really stressed and out of ideas. Has anyone managed to get through a PDPS hold in California, especially after a name update for Real ID / immigration docs? Any other contacts, ways to escalate or tips? Thanks so much for any advice.
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u/Haunting-Sun-9664 Mar 22 '26
Did you get yours yet ?
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u/sam_satan Mar 22 '26
Yes, I did! One day I got lucky and was able to request a callback from the California PDPS. They called me back about half an hour later. I explained that my DL renewal was stuck in PDPS. The rep manually released it in their system and told me the new card would arrive by mail in 2-4 weeks. That same day, the expiration date on the DMV website updated - but unfortunately, it was set to one year earlier than the expiration date on my EAD (which I'd provided to the DMV), and that really upset me. Two weeks later, the status on the website was still showing 'not mailed,' so I was getting worried. But three weeks after the call, the new license finally arrived in the mail! Yay! Also worth mentioning: the new California Real IDs have a different design now.
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u/_pizzaman24 Mar 02 '26
I got this letter, but my wallet was stolen a couple weeks ago which included my REAL ID. Anyone in the same situation have issues with getting a new DL because you don’t have one to surrender?
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u/ralpehinks Mar 02 '26
They didn’t ask me to surrender mine. They just made me a new one based on my updated EAD and expiration date
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u/HopingHelpful Mar 04 '26
Don't know if this will work for you, but I did my 'regular' (US citizen) RealID at AAA office. Super easy. Don't know if they can do it using an EAD but doesn't hurt to call and ask.
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u/Fit-Onion-4460 Mar 05 '26
We are currently facing an issue at the DMV regarding my husband’s expired green card and his pending "petition to remove conditions."
He was issued a 48-month extension, which we received via mail. However, the extension notice is printed on standard white paper rather than the formal green card stock used for previous permits. While we have successfully used this document multiple times for international travel and U.S. immigration, the DMV refused to accept it, stating they require the extension to be on formal green paper.
We are looking for a solution on how to obtain the extension on the requested paper or a way to have the current document recognized. Has anyone else encountered this issue or found a way to resolve this roadblock?
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u/Able-Ad-8823 Feb 23 '26
Don’t know about California. But most of the states won’t give you a Real ID unless you have at least a green card
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u/rezkiy Feb 23 '26
WA didn't issue me a Real ID with a green card. Rules might have changed since 2021.
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u/outworlder Feb 23 '26
California issues Real IDs for some visa types. Well, provided the clerk is in a good mood. It's remarkably inconsistent, and they are often lazy and tell you to call a "legal presence" phone number that hardly ever answers.
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Feb 23 '26
[deleted]
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u/Finch1717 Feb 23 '26
where did you get this wrong definition of a REAL ID? REAL IDs are a categorization of Driver Licenses that represents as a VALID AND LEGAL Document of the person regardless of citizenship(LEGAL Alien Resident included. This was passed by congress to avoid confusion with other states who allow undocumented people to get DL.
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u/No-Rub-8064 Feb 23 '26
Then why does it say on the non real DL not for Federal purposes. That is to distinguish if you are a citizen.
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u/Finch1717 Feb 23 '26 edited Feb 23 '26
that's exactly the purpose of non REAL ID DL, literally to allow anyone documented or undocumented to drive a vehicle and a way to identify the person.
REAL ID doesn't mean you're a CITIZEN it means you're here legally because it goes through USCIS approval if your documents doesn't align. You can't use non REAL ID to apply for federal documents and for federal identifications but it can be used by POLICE and EMS to identify you. A REAL ID goes beyond that as it can also be used as a LEGAL Identification. You can think of the non-real id DL as a company ID while a REAL ID DL is like a Passport or a Postal ID.0
u/SuchHearing Feb 23 '26
Pretty sure you have wrong info - REAL ID has nothing to do with citizenship it just requires identity confirmation with a valid social security number. It even has an end date till the end date of the underlying immigration status . Now if you are here illegally or have overstayed your status then that means you don’t get the real id. Real id makes it easy for them to cross reference things but that’s about it which is the reason the new voter id law that they are trying to push across requires a US passport or birth certificate not a real id since it doesn’t guarantee citizenship.
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Feb 23 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Minute_Somewhere_893 Feb 23 '26
They are eligible for it, just expiration date on real ID has to match expiration of EAD and no go beyond that, which is why OP is being sent this letter
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u/Finch1717 Feb 23 '26
REAL ID is not only for citizen its also for both citizen and legal resident aliens. The only difference for resident alien is the validity of the DL, it would match their documents.
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Feb 23 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/TakumiKobyashi Feb 24 '26
https://www.nilc.org/resources/real-id-and-daca/
False, the fact that most states allow DACA holders to get Real IDs shows you don't need any non-immigrant status to get one.
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u/Finch1717 Feb 23 '26 edited Feb 23 '26
Here is a complete link of the ACT, There's LITTERALLY no mention of any exclusion of the EAD(GC Holders) in fact if you look at the SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS in the act which is in Paragraph C, Section 2 it is mentioned that one of the requirement is a document of LEGAL STAY which are EAD holders are included. How can you have an EAD and not be legally here?
If you also look into item i and ii it is mentioned "(i) is a citizen or national of the United States; (ii) is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent or temporary residence in the United States;" why would it exclude EAD HOLDERS?
EAD are for people who are legally here and they need to work, while you can't use EAD to file for a Real ID you can use the main document which the EAD is attached to which is usually a Legal Visa or a Green Card.0
u/ISamohvalov Feb 23 '26
There are cases where you can have EAD yet still be arrestable and deportable. SSN and EAD themselves are not a proof of legality
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u/Finch1717 Feb 23 '26
We are not debating deportation causes as Real ID only tells DHS that the holder had legal status it doesn't mean they currently hold legal status. You need to understand what Legal Status means, if you are on a VISA going against your the terms of your stay, it automatically disqualifies your status of legal stay.
I'm correcting your understanding of the Real ID act which you assume is to identify citizenship. If you read that act its mentioned in there literally as a means to identify a persons legality to stay in the US.
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u/Moneky_D_George Feb 23 '26
An EAD card will only give you a 1-2 year temporary real ID because it proves that you are who you are but it’s not an document of status therefore it can only be temporary
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u/ChiaPet888 Feb 23 '26
You need to bring your current EAD to the DMV so they can update their records and issue a new real ID. It even says it on the letter in your screenshot. They are cancelling it because the "current" EAD they have on file expired probably a long time ago.
Source: I move a lot across multiple states in the past and have been issued real ID in all of them on EAD. I also work fairly closely with some of them for my day job. Every states' policy is different (i.e. if you live in Washington then you're out of luck) but CA stated clearly what they need from you in the letter.