By JOSH FUNK
The issuance of commercial driver’s licenses to immigrants in New York has sparked a major federal investigation, with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy identifying the state as the eighth to grant licenses beyond legal authorization periods. Duffy issued a stern warning, threatening to cut $73 million in highway funds if the problem isn’t rectified and invalid licenses are not rescinded.
New York joins a list of states led by Democratic governors that have come under scrutiny for similar licensing practices, including California, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. Republican-governed states like Texas and South Dakota have also received notices, although without public statements from Duffy.
Federal audits have not only identified licenses exceeding legal validity but also pointed to potential lapses in verifying immigration statuses before issuance. This issue gained prominence following a tragic incident in Florida where an unauthorized immigrant truck driver caused a fatal crash, leading to Duffy’s intensified focus on enforcement.
Investigations have revealed a significant portion of reviewed licenses were flawed, with Texas showing faults in nearly half of its 123 licenses checked. California has already responded by revoking around 21,000 improperly issued licenses.
The federal government has leveraged highway funding as a tool for compliance, threatening to withhold substantial amounts, such as $182 million from Texas and $160 million from California, should they fail to rectify the issues. So far, compliance has been achieved without financial penalties, although California did lose $40 million for not enforcing English language requirements for truckers.
States defend their licensing practices
New York officials, including DMV spokesperson Walter McClure, have asserted adherence to federal guidelines, accusing Duffy of misrepresentation. “Secretary Duffy is lying about New York State once again in a desperate attempt to distract from the failing, chaotic administration he represents,” McClure stated, emphasizing compliance with federal regulations.
Amidst these tensions, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has prioritized public safety, directing strict enforcement of language proficiency requirements for truck drivers. Other states are also reportedly addressing the issues highlighted by the Transportation Department.
Previous efforts to restrict immigrant truck drivers
Immigrants make up about 20% of truck drivers, but only 5% hold non-domiciled licenses. The Transportation Department’s attempts to impose stricter eligibility criteria for noncitizens have faced legal challenges, with new rules currently on hold by court orders.
The efforts to enhance road safety by removing unqualified drivers have been supported by trucking groups but criticized by immigrant advocates for potentially fostering discriminatory practices. “For too long, loopholes in this program have allowed unqualified drivers onto our highways, putting professional truckers and the motoring public at risk,” remarked Todd Spencer, president of the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association.
Associated Press writers Sarah Raza in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Mead Gruver in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York, and Bruce Shipkowski in Trenton, New Jersey, all contributed to this report.
