Why Social Media Users Are Frustrated With TSA's Tribal And Indigenous ID Rule

In May 2025, TSA began strictly enforcing the rule that passengers need a Real ID to fly, which meant some older state IDs and driver's licenses may no longer be compliant. However, TSA also accepts photo ID cards issued by federally recognized Tribal Nations as valid alternatives to Real IDs. Still, many travelers on social media have expressed frustration after they were asked to show additional documentation when going through security, even when their Tribal IDs should have been accepted.

The TSA website explains that these extra checks happen when a Tribal ID cannot be read by a scanner (and many Tribal IDs do not include barcodes). In the case that the passenger doesn't have an alternative scannable ID, their Tribal ID will be inspected by an officer and verified with the Federal Register. But some social media users are saying their experience stemmed more from ignorance or lack of training than a faulty barcode. A video from TikTok creator @josephinewebster213 claims one TSA worker said, "You can't use your Tribal ID as identification ... it's not even American." In the comments, Josephine says she's never had trouble using her Tribal ID before, and other commenters chime in with similar experiences they've had, suggesting that it could be a training issue among some TSA staff.

While TSA has pledged to treat passengers from Tribal Nations with "respect and dignity," these scenarios are leaving some travelers feeling shortchanged on that promise. As commenter Rachel @bigmamastingrae said on Josephine's TikTok post, "TSA needs to retrain their people."

If you plan to use a Tribal ID at the airport, you can take some extra steps to prevent major hiccups. To ensure you won't get stuck in the security line, bring a secondary ID if possible, such as a state-issued driver's license or a passport. However, not everyone has another ID or wants to carry one — and the simple fact is that a Tribal ID should be accepted. Redditor u/ahutapoo advised: "It works, be prepared to stand your ground however, [as] some TSA don't realize it's legit. Think of the time you spend there as a teaching moment."

TSA's official resources underscore that while Tribal IDs are valid, scanning issues can lead to extra steps. A supervisor review may include manual lookup in the Federal Register — and while this won't help you get through airport security faster, the process ultimately resolves most cases. So, if you're traveling with only a Tribal ID, it's wise to arrive at the airport a little earlier. Redditor u/DecisionCharacter175 advised: "It is a legal ID but give yourself extra time for them to look it up if they aren't familiar with it. Better yet, call ahead so they'll familiarize themselves with it, prior."

If checkpoint staff raise questions, travelers are encouraged to ask to speak with a supervisory TSO. TSA policy explicitly suggests this for Tribal ID users who encounter issues. Redditor u/caliigulasAquarium, who claims to be a current TSO, said: "[Tribal IDs] are accepted. We don't see them all too much. So if there is an issue, just ask for a super." And if you need to escalate any issues about your experience, here's the best way to contact TSA's customer service.