Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news Immigrant Commercial Driver’s License Issues Uncovered Across 8 States: A Growing Concern
  • Local news

Immigrant Commercial Driver’s License Issues Uncovered Across 8 States: A Growing Concern

    Problems with commercial driver's licenses for immigrants found in 8 states so far
    Up next
    Director convicted of scamming $16.5m from Netflix and going on spending spree
    Film Director Found Guilty of $16.5 Million Netflix Fraud and Lavish Spending Rampage
    Published on 13 December 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • Business,
    • Commercial,
    • Derek Barrs,
    • Donald Trump,
    • Driver039s,
    • FAR,
    • for,
    • Found,
    • Gavin Newsom,
    • Greg Abbott,
    • immigrants,
    • Jennifer Giambi,
    • licenses,
    • Nathan Olson,
    • Politics,
    • problems,
    • sean duffy,
    • States,
    • U.S. news,
    • Walter McClure,
    • with
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest


    The federal government has intensified its scrutiny of commercial driver’s licenses issued to immigrants, uncovering issues in eight states following a series of fatal accidents.

    Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has issued public warnings to California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and New York, threatening to cut off millions in federal funding after investigations revealed licenses remained valid even after the legal status of immigrants had lapsed. Additionally, the Department of Transportation discreetly communicated similar concerns to Texas, South Dakota, Colorado, and Washington during the government shutdown, with these states first being mentioned in September.

    Concerns about immigrant truck drivers rose to prominence after a tragic incident in Florida, where a tractor-trailer driver, unauthorized to be in the U.S., made an illegal U-turn, resulting in a crash that claimed three lives in August. Another deadly collision in California, also involving a truck driver without legal status in the country, further heightened these concerns in October.

    In response, Duffy suggested new rules in September to significantly restrict which noncitizens could obtain licenses for operating semis or buses. However, the implementation of these rules has been paused by a court order.

    Furthermore, since the summer, the Trump administration has been more rigorously enforcing existing English language requirements for truck drivers. By October, roughly 9,500 truckers had been removed from the roads nationwide for not meeting English proficiency standards during traffic stops or inspections.

    Here’s a recap of developments up to this point:

    California

    The Transportation Department focused first on California because the driver in the Florida crash got a license there. He also went to California after the crash and had to be extradited to face charges.

    California fought back after Duffy threatened to pull $160 million from the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom sparred with Duffy in statements and social media posts defending the state’s practices by saying California officials had verified the immigration status of all these drivers through federal databases, as required.

    But after that back-and-forth, California revoked 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses last month after confirming problems with them. That number has since grown to 21,000. So the Transportation Department hasn’t pulled that funding.

    But Duffy did revoke a separate $40 million in federal funding because he said California is the only state not enforcing English language requirements for truckers.

    Pennsylvania

    The federal government might withhold nearly $75 million from Pennsylvania if it is not satisfied with the actions the state takes.

    The Transportation Department said its audit found a couple of licenses out of 150 it reviewed were valid after the driver’s lawful presence in the country ended. In four other cases, the federal government said Pennsylvania gave no evidence it had required noncitizens to provide legitimate proof they were legally in the country at the time they got the license.

    As it has done in all these states, the Transportation Department ordered Pennsylvania to stop issuing commercial driver’s licenses to immigrants until it completed a full review to ensure all the licenses it has issued remain valid and revoke any licenses that aren’t.

    The federal government said that approximately 12,400 noncitizen drivers hold an unexpired commercial learner’s permit or commercial driver’s license issued by Pennsylvania.

    Minnesota

    Duffy threatened to withhold $30.4 million from Minnesota if that state doesn’t address shortcomings in its commercial driver’s license program and revoke any licenses that never should have been issued.

    The Transportation Department found some licenses that were valid beyond a driver’s work permit and some where the state never verified a driver’s immigration status.

    The head of Minnesota’s Department of Driver and Vehicle Services, Pong Xiong, said the state found a number of administrative issues in the 2,117 non-domiciled commercial licenses the state has issued and took action, including cancelling some licenses. Xiong said the federal audit largely just confirmed the issues Minnesota had already found and corrected.

    The state planned to work with federal officials to resolve any remaining questions.

    New York

    Duffy highlighted concerns about the commercial licenses New York has issued to noncitizens Friday.

    Federal investigators found that more than half of the 200 licenses they reviewed in New York were issued improperly with many of them defaulting to be valid for eight years regardless of when an immigrant’s work permit expires. And he said the state could not prove it had verified these drivers’ immigration status for the 32,000 active non-domiciled commercial licenses it has issued. Plus, investigators found some examples of New York issuing licenses even when applicants’ work authorizations were already expired.

    “New York must act immediately to comprehensively audit its CDL program and revoke every single illegally issued licenses,” said Derek Barrs, administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

    State DMV spokesperson Walter McClure defended the state’s practices and said New York has been following all the federal rules for this kind of commercial license.

    Texas

    Nearly half of the 123 licenses investigators reviewed in Texas were flawed, so the Transportation Department threatened to withhold $182 million if the state doesn’t reform its licensing programs and invalidate any flawed licenses.

    A spokesperson for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement that “public safety is the Governor’s top priority, and we must ensure that truckers can navigate Texas roadways safely and efficiently. To support this mission, Governor Abbott directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to strictly enforce English language proficiency requirements and to stop issuing intrastate commercial driver’s licenses to drivers who do not meet those standards.”

    South Dakota

    Investigators found three commercial licenses the state issued that were valid longer than they should have been. South Dakota also issues several licenses to Canadian citizens who aren’t eligible to get one.

    One problematic practice investigators found as they reviewed 51 South Dakota licenses was that the state routinely issues temporary paper licenses that are valid for one year regardless of the immigration status of a driver.

    South Dakota officials didn’t immediately respond Friday to the concerns. The state could lose $13.25 million.

    Colorado

    Roughly 22% of the 99 licenses that were reviewed in Colorado violated federal requirements. That raises questions about the 1,848 active non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses in the state.

    Investigators discovered a glitch in Colorado’s computer system that will revert to a license valid for four years when a worker has to do multiple searches in a federal immigration database. Unless the worker is vigilant, some of those extended licenses sneak through.

    Eighteen Mexican citizens who weren’t eligible were also issued commercial licenses.

    Jennifer Giambi, a spokesperson for the Colorado DMV, said the state is in the middle of auditing its licensing program to check for any additional problems, and that audit should be done by January. No new licenses are being issued in the program right now.

    Washington

    The state could lose $31.35 million if the Transportation Department isn’t satisfied with their response.

    Investigators only found problems in about 10% of the 125 licenses they reviewed in Washington, but they were alarmed to learn that an internal state review discovered 685 immigrant drivers who were issued regular commercial licenses instead of the non-domiciled ones they should have received. The Transportation Department said that state officials often accepted the wrong documents in those cases.

    Washington officials told the AP they couldn’t immediately respond Friday while the state is grappling with widespread flooding. But earlier this week, a state Department of Licensing spokesperson, Nathan Olson, said in an email to the Seattle Times that the errors had been addressed and Washington is working to improve its system and procedures.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like
    Rhode Island shifts its primary to Wednesday, Sept. 9, easing a Labor Day poll setup crunch
    • Local news

    Rhode Island’s Primary Date Change: How a Wednesday Vote Eases Labor Day Polling Challenges

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. – In a departure from tradition, Rhode Island’s primary elections…
    • Internewscast
    • April 22, 2026

    Bristol, VA Leaders Speak Out: Impactful Reactions to Redistricting Vote Unveiled

    In a decisive turn of events, Virginia voters have given a nod…
    • Internewscast
    • April 22, 2026
    UK inflation rises in March as prices at the pump spike higher after Iran war
    • Local news

    UK Inflation Soars in March: Fuel Prices Surge Amid Iran Conflict Impact

    LONDON – In March, the United Kingdom experienced a rise in inflation,…
    • Internewscast
    • April 22, 2026

    Baileyton Introduces Publicly Accessible Naloxone Box to Combat Opioid Crisis

    In Baileyton, Tennessee, efforts are underway to enhance the availability of naloxone,…
    • Internewscast
    • April 22, 2026
    WATCH LIVE at 10:30 a.m.: Orange County sheriff to hold news conference on ‘important case’
    • Local news

    Live Update: Orange County Sheriff Reveals Crucial Details in Major Case – Tune in at 10:30 a.m.

    ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is set to conduct…
    • Internewscast
    • April 22, 2026

    Get Ready to Feast: Red Ginger Buffet Makes a Grand Reopening This Thursday!

    In Elizabethton, Tennessee, Red Ginger Buffet has exciting news for its patrons.…
    • Internewscast
    • April 23, 2026

    Virginia Approves Hotly Debated Redistricting Plan, Awaits Court Decision

    In a significant development, Virginians have backed a contentious initiative aimed at…
    • Internewscast
    • April 22, 2026
    Senate hearings with RFK Jr. put Cassidy’s competing loyalties to Trump and science on display
    • Local news

    Senate Hearings Spotlight Cassidy’s Balancing Act Between Trump Allegiance and Scientific Integrity

    On Wednesday, Bill Cassidy will find his roles as a legislator, physician,…
    • Internewscast
    • April 22, 2026
    Inside the Kennedy Center as it prepares for a 2-year renovation
    • Local news

    Exploring the Kennedy Center’s Ambitious 2-Year Renovation Project

    WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump views the Kennedy Center as a “tired,…
    • Internewscast
    • April 22, 2026
    Hints, Spangram And Answers For Saturday, June 28th
    • Business

    Unlocking the Mysteries: Your Ultimate Guide to Provinces of the Pantheon – April 23 Insights

    If you’re grappling with today’s particularly challenging NYT Strands…
    • Internewscast
    • April 23, 2026
    Mamdani’s pick to fight antisemitism can't even define it
    • US

    Controversial Appointment: Mamdani’s Antisemitism Advisor Struggles with Definition

    The recent appointment by the Mamdani administration for the head of the…
    • Internewscast
    • April 23, 2026
    Leeds have unearthed their biggest star since Raphinha and gave Chelsea reasons to be fearful in FA Cup showdown after dispatching Wolves, writes JAMES SHARPE
    • Sport

    Leeds Discovers Promising Talent Rivaling Raphinha, Poses a Threat to Chelsea in Upcoming FA Cup Clash, Reports James Sharpe

    When Dominic Calvert-Lewin confidently converted his penalty in the dying moments,…
    • Internewscast
    • April 23, 2026
    Soft-spoken Kate says she finds big royal events 'really hard' because she 'always gets told to speak louder'
    • Royals

    Kate Opens Up About Struggles with Being Heard at Major Royal Events

    The Princess of Wales, known for her gentle demeanor, recently confessed to…
    • Internewscast
    • April 23, 2026
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.