I believe in 1997 Congress amended the law by which states would lose funding if they didn’t verify and collect SS#s through the driver’s license process. The justification at the time was for enforcement of child support from deadbeat dads.
When all else fails there is always an excuse for government to bend the rules, and now we have by government mandate for a voluntary program, the Real ID Act of 2005 still being implemented after delay and delay and delay.
Without the star when the compliance rule go into effect, no entry to federal facilities, and fly only after increased scrutiny. Frankly admittance to federal buildings you paid for, should be considered unconstitutional, not a security problem, and travel restrictions another story all together, but that is Real ID in a nutshell.
Long ago the Congress wanted a National ID Card and couldn’t get it passed “the people”. Gee, wonder why? So attach some dollars, get the state government to buy in, and voila’ instant National ID Card compliant with the International Standard. Real ID is not your friend, and is only the beginning.