The August crash involving an 18-wheeler and a minivan on the Florida Turnpike horrified the nation. The aftermath of the crash, which killed all three people in the minivan, revealed that the driver, an illegal immigrant from India, had failed an English proficiency test and could barely identify traffic signs. As just another result of the Biden administration's reckless open border policy, there are plenty more drivers on the road like him. However, the Trump Department of Transportation is now ensuring that it's the end of the road for any unqualified or undocumented drivers.
On Friday, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced the results of a nationwide audit of the trucking industry by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The audit focused on the agency's issuance of Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs), which allow truck drivers to travel America's roadways. The results of this audit will definitely make you think the next time you enter the on-ramp to the interstate. Duffy also stated that the Transportation Department would be announcing "emergency action" to greatly restrict eligibility for commercial learner's permits (CLP) and CDLs.
READ MORE: In Wake of Fatal Florida Crash, DOT Cracks Down on Non-English Speaking CDL Issue
The audit showed that, in some cases, states issued CDLs that did not expire for months and even years beyond the driver's lawful presence in the country, an obvious incentive for that illegal immigrant to stay in the country. In other cases, states failed to verify the driver's immigration status entirely. Making a dangerous situation even worse, the audit uncovered numerous procedural errors, computer programming defects, and, in general, a considerable lack of oversight.
The audit also showed that the state that is the most egregious offender when it comes to issuing illegal immigrants CDLs is, shock, California. More than 25 percent of non-domiciled CDLs were issued in California alone. In one outrageous case, California issued a CDL to a Brazilian citizen who drove both a passenger and a school bus. That CDL was valid for months after his legal presence in the U.S. had expired. Duffy is now bringing the hammer down on California, which is required to immediately pause any issuing of non-domiciled CDLs, identify all unexpired, non-domiciled CDLs that are not in compliance with FMCSA regulations, and revoke and reissue those non-compliant, non-domiciled CDLs if they comply with new federal requirements.
Duffy did not mince words with the powers that be in California, saying:
“California’s reckless disregard is frankly disgusting and an affront to the millions of Americans who expect us to keep them safe. California must get its act together immediately or I will not hesitate to pull millions in funding. To every other state around the country – find all improperly issued CDLs and revoke their licenses now. We owe it to the American people to ensure only lawful, qualified drivers are operating big rigs on our highways.”
California has 30 days to comply, or FMCSA will begin withholding federal highway funding. That starts at nearly $160 million in year one and will double in year two. But if California thinks the FMCSA is just picking on them, they would be wrong. Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington state were also found to have licensing practices that were not consistent with federal regulations.
ALSO READ: Finally Shutting the Barn Door, Marco Rubio Freezes All Visas for Truck Drivers
Kudos to Secretary Duffy and the Department of Transportation for putting increased focus on the danger that is traveling America's highways. This is just another mess left by Joe Biden that the Trump administration is now tasked with cleaning up. How many more illegal truck drivers like Harjinder Singh, the man responsible for the Florida crash, are on the road right now? Singh was issued his CDL in California in 2024 and had driven across the country.
It all gives new meaning to looking in your rear-view mirror and seeing that big rig behind you.
Editor's Note: Thanks to President Trump, illegal immigration into our great country has virtually stopped. Despite the radical left's lies, new legislation wasn't needed to secure our border, just a new president.
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