U.S. Transportation Secretary Threatens to Revoke Funds from California Over Commercial Driver’s Licenses
The U.S. Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, has warned that he will revoke millions of dollars in federal funds from California due to the state’s alleged issuance of commercial driver’s licenses to noncitizens. In an appearance on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” Duffy stated that California Governor Gavin Newsom has refused to comply with U.S. Department of Transportation rules requiring the state to stop issuing such licenses and review those already issued.
Duffy announced that he plans to pull $160 million from California and may also revoke the state’s ability to issue commercial driver’s licenses. This decision comes after the Transportation Department tightened commercial driver’s license requirements for noncitizens following three fatal crashes caused by immigrant truck drivers. The new rules allow only three specific classes of visa holders to be eligible for CDLs, and states must verify an applicant’s immigration status in a federal database.
Background on the Issue
A nationwide commercial driver’s license audit was launched after a driver in the country illegally caused a crash in Florida that killed three people. The audit found licenses that were issued improperly in several states, including California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington. Duffy claimed that California has unlawfully issued tens of thousands of commercial driver’s licenses to noncitizens, with 60,000 people on the roads who shouldn’t have licenses, including those driving fuel tankers and school buses.
The investigation found significant failures in the way California is enforcing rules that took effect in June after one of President Trump’s executive orders. California had issued a commercial license to the driver involved in the Florida crash, despite the English language requirements for truckers predating the crash. Duffy stated that he would withhold $40 million from California due to its failure to enforce these English language requirements.
California’s Response
California has defended its practices, citing that commercial license holders from the state have a significantly lower rate of crashes than the national average and the Texas average, which is the only state with more licensed commercial drivers. A spokesperson for Governor Newsom dismissed Duffy’s attack, noting that the state’s practices are in line with federal regulations. However, federal officials were not satisfied with California’s formal response to the Transportation Department.
The dispute between the U.S. Transportation Department and California highlights the ongoing debate over immigration and driver’s license policies. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the revocation of funds will impact the state’s transportation system and the thousands of drivers affected by the decision. For more information on this developing story, visit Here
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