ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Travelers without a Real ID can now use TSA’s new ConfirmID program for a fee to get through security at the Sunport.

The program, which began Feb. 1, allows travelers to pay $45 to enroll for a period of 10 days.

Acting Executive Assistant Administrator Steve Lorincz from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said, “It’s a voluntary option to those customers to make sure that they’re able to get processed through the TSA.”

Lorincz explained that the program ensures travelers can make both their outbound and return flights. The $45 fee covers the cost of the operation itself.

Jeffrey Harris, a passenger flying through Sunport, said, “It’s a great idea for anybody who loses their ID. Or, you know, I lose stuff all the time.”

Tyler Barber, another traveler, added, “Your stuff gets stolen or anything like that. It’s a good just second option.” Scarlett Dooley also supported the program, saying, “It’s smart, because I think there are a lot of situations that happen where someone just leaves it in their car, but they might miss their flight.”

However, some passengers remain skeptical. Christi Alvarez questioned, “They just going to have somebody pay the $45 or are they expected to bring other forms of identification? I don’t really know.”

According to TSA, travelers need to show a receipt or confirmation of ConfirmID along with another ID or documentation to verify their identity. The agency noted that about 6 percent of the U.S. population lacks a Real ID, with the figure rising to 20 percent in New Mexico.

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in New Mexico dropped last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 795 in the week ending January 24, down from 939 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 209,000 last week, down 1,000 claims from 210,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Nebraska saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 207.4%. Kentucky, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 59.7%.

USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s weekly unemployment insurance claims report.