UNDOCUMENTED/DACA AT NORTHWESTERN

Yes. All travelers flying on a domestic flight, including undocumented immigrants, will need to present a valid and unexpired* photo ID issued by either the state or federal government to enter an airport and board their flight. Acceptable forms of identification are available here: Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint (U.S. Transportation Security Administration)

* TSA currently accepts expired ID up to a year after expiration for all forms of identification listed here.

Please note that the TSA has the discretion to stop, question, and refer travelers to immigration enforcement officers, even when traveling domestically. TSA has been inconsistent with regard to its acceptance of state issued Driver’s Licenses/IDs. Undocumented immigrants traveling with non-REAL ID compliant identification should use caution when using them. To learn more about flying as an undocumented immigrant, please see Immigrants Rising’s Guide for Undocumented Individuals Traveling in the U.S. .

IMPORTANT NOTE: Starting May 7th, 2025, all travelers must present a REAL ID compliant Driver’s License/ID card OR another alternative form of verification to board domestic flights within the U.S.

Starting May 7, 2025, all travelers flying domestically will need to present a REAL ID compliant Driver’s License/ID card OR another acceptable form of identification. 

To apply for a REAL ID, individuals will generally need to show:

• Proof of identity;
• State residency; and
• Current legal presence in the U.S. (e.g., a social security card, DACA card, or TPS status, for instance).

• Proof of identity;
• Social security number;
• Proof of residency; and
• Proof of the applicant’s prior written signature (e.g., Social Security Card, credit or debit card, or Medicare card).

• Unexpired foreign passport;
• Employment authorization card (work permit card);
• A border crossing card; or
• Another acceptable form of identification.

• Have identification ready: When booking a flight, students should ensure the name on the plane ticket is an exact match with the form of identification being presented to TSA. Students should bring their form of identification with them to the airport.
• Have a safety plan: Undocumented students should inform an emergency contact of their travel plans and discuss what to do in case of a potential encounter with immigration enforcement officers. If possible, students should also have an immigration attorney’s contact information in the event of a potential encounter with immigration enforcement officers.
• Assess eligibility for REAL ID or alternative forms of identification if flying after May 7, 2025: Students should review if they are eligible to apply for a REAL ID. If they are not eligible, they should consider other acceptable forms of identification they have (such as a valid, unexpired passport from their country of citizenship) or review their eligibility for other forms of identification they can apply for (such as an Employment Authorization Card).
  • It is possible that an undocumented student will not be eligible for a REAL ID and will also not be able to obtain any other alternative forms of identification. In that case, students should speak with a qualified immigration professional to assess their options, as well as consider alternative travel methods, such as driving or taking the bus/train. 
• Assess potential risk of encounter with immigration enforcement: TSA officers have the discretion at any time to stop someone, question them, and ultimately refer them to immigration enforcement officers. Students should speak with an immigration attorney and assess their comfort with potential encounters with immigration enforcement officers. If students do not qualify for a REAL ID, and they are unable to obtain another alternative form of identification after May 7, 2025, they should carefully consider alternative travel methods, such as driving or taking the bus/train.

Even if undocumented students have the required form of identification, they should not be flying internationally without first consulting a lawyer (including cases of international layovers and travel to U.S. territories), as leaving the U.S. may potentially trigger 3- or 10-year bans that do not allow undocumented immigrants to return to the country. 

Certain immigrants can receive permission to reenter the U.S. after temporarily traveling abroad through a process known as advance parole. To learn more about advance parole and eligibility, please see Informed Immigrant’s guide on Traveling with Advance Parole in 2024. 

Yes. As of July 1st, 2024, undocumented immigrants in Illinois can apply for the standard ID or Driver’s License, valid for three years. Driver’s License holders can use the document to legally drive within the state and as proof of identification. To receive a standard ID or Driver’s License, applicants must have resided in Illinois for at least one year, pass the appropriate exams, and present documents verifying the following information (please note that one document can verify multiple categories):

• Prior written signature;
• Date of birth;
• Social Security Number (SSN)*; and
• Proof of residency.

* Applicants who do not have a SSN are able to sign a declaration stating they are ineligible to obtain an SSN at the time of application. Review the full list of acceptable identity verification documents here (Office of the Illinois Secretary of State).

To learn more, visit Driver’s License/Commercial Driver’s License/State ID Card (Office of the Illinois Secretary of State).

TSA accepts state-issued Driver’s Licenses and IDs as valid forms of identification when flying. Valid Illinois Driver’s Licenses and IDs can be used to board domestic flights until May 7, 2025. After May 7th, 2025, all travelers in the U.S. must have a REAL ID compliant Driver’s License/ID card OR another acceptable form of identification in order to fly. Please refer to Questions 2-3 of this FAQ to learn more about REAL IDs. 

Please note that the TSA has the discretion to stop, question, and refer travelers to immigration enforcement officers, even when traveling domestically. TSA has been inconsistent with regard to its acceptance of state-issued Driver’s Licenses/IDs. Undocumented immigrants traveling with non-REAL ID compliant identification should use caution when using them. To learn more about flying as an undocumented immigrant, please see Immigrants Rising’s Guide for Undocumented Individuals Traveling in the U.S.