U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has raised serious concerns regarding New York’s issuance of commercial driver’s licenses to immigrants, highlighting that many licenses may remain valid long after the individuals’ legal authorization has expired. Duffy threatened to withhold $73 million in federal highway funds unless the state rectifies the issues and revokes any improperly issued licenses.
Why It Matters
The validity of commercial driver’s licenses issued to immigrants is critical for ensuring road safety, particularly given the substantial weight of vehicles operated by these license holders. The concerns raised by Duffy suggest potential failures in verifying immigration status, putting public safety at risk and raising questions about state compliance with federal regulations.
Key Developments
- Duffy’s threat to withhold $73 million in highway funds highlights the urgency of the state’s compliance with federal regulations.
- State officials assert they are adhering to federal rules and verifying drivers’ immigration status.
- The review was prompted by a tragic fatal accident involving an unauthorized truck driver in Florida.
- Federal investigators found over half of the licenses reviewed in New York were issued improperly.
- New York has 30 days to address the concerns raised by Duffy, who calls for an immediate revocation of flawed licenses.
- Federal audits reveal significant compliance issues in several Democratic-run states, including New York, California, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota.
Full Report
Federal Concerns
During a press conference, Duffy highlighted New York’s ongoing practice of issuing commercial driver’s licenses to immigrants without proper verification of their immigration statuses. He reported that investigations showed that many licenses could remain valid for eight years, even when the associated work permits had expired. Out of approximately 200 licenses reviewed, over 50% were found to be issued improperly, prompting Duffy’s call for action from Governor Kathy Hochul.
Response from New York Officials
Walter McClure, spokesperson for the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, defended the state’s practices, countersaying that Duffy’s claims are misleading. McClure emphasized that commercial driver’s licenses are under federal regulation and that New York follows the requisite rules to ensure compliance.
Implications of License Validity
The issue of non-domiciled commercial licenses impacts both immigrants and overall public safety. While immigrants represent around 20% of the truck driver workforce, non-domiciled licenses constitute only about 5% of all commercial licenses. Furthermore, the Transportation Department has proposed restrictions that would limit noncitizens’ access to these licenses, though a court has currently put these new rules on hold.
Financial Consequences for States
Duffy previously threatened federal funding cuts to New York for other issues, underscoring a contentious relationship between the federal government and state leadership on various matters. His audits have already prompted California to revoke 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses after similar findings of compliance issues.
Context & Previous Events
Duffy initiated the review of commercial licenses after a tragic incident in August where an unauthorized truck driver was involved in a crash that killed three people in Florida. This event has since catalyzed a broader scrutiny of driver licensing practices across multiple states led by Democratic governors.
