Native Issues
Tribal Sovereignty
Jan 22, 2026

Tribal IDs remain accepted at airport security under new TSA program


January 22, 2026

Photo identification issued by federally recognized tribal nations will continue to be accepted at airport security checkpoints without additional fees, according to the Neshoba Democrat. The Transportation Security Administration is launching a new identity verification program, ConfirmID, on Feb. 1, which allows passengers without standard identification to pay a $45 fee to verify their identity and board flights.

The new program will not affect travelers who present tribal identification. In a Jan. 7 letter to tribal leaders, Ha Nguyen McNeill, senior official performing the duties of TSA administrator, said both standard and Enhanced Tribal Cards remain valid forms of identification at TSA checkpoints.

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