The crackdown by the federal government on the issuance of commercial driver’s licenses to immigrants has revealed significant discrepancies in eight states. Following deadly incidents involving unauthorized drivers, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has threatened to cut millions in federal funding from states including California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and New York for inadequate checks on the legal status of license holders.
Investigations identified issues such as licenses that remained valid even after the expiration of an immigrant's legal status. The scrutiny gained prominence after a tragic crash in Florida involving an unauthorized driver highlighted the risks posed by such oversights.
Notably, California has faced heavy criticism, with revelations that thousands of commercial driver’s licenses were revoked after the state failed to verify the immigration status of certain drivers as required. In response, state officials claimed to have acted in compliance with federal guidelines.
In New York, audits found that over half of the examined licenses were improperly issued, prompting swift action from federal authorities who demanded a comprehensive review and revocation of all illegal permits.
Similar patterns emerged in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Texas, South Dakota, Colorado, and Washington, each state facing the possibility of lost federal funding if they do not rectify licensing issues.
As stricter enforcement of English language requirements for truck drivers takes effect, around 9,500 drivers have already been removed from U.S. roads for failing to prove English proficiency. The government’s intensified focus on immigrant licensing policies indicates deeper scrutiny in safety regulations and compliance with federal law.
