UPDATE: California has officially revoked 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses that were illegally issued to foreign drivers, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) just announced on Wednesday. This urgent action follows a directive from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, highlighting serious safety concerns regarding these licenses.
The revocations come in the wake of a federal investigation revealing that these licenses were granted in violation of federal rules. Duffy emphasized that this is “just the tip of the iceberg,” asserting his team will continue to ensure that California removes all illegal immigrants from driving commercial vehicles such as semitrucks and school buses.
Notices have been sent to all affected CDL holders, indicating that their licenses will expire in 60 days. The DOT accused California officials of being “caught red-handed” in this licensing scandal, raising alarming questions about public safety on the roads.
In a stark warning, Duffy reiterated a threat to withhold $160 million in federal funding from California unless all unlawfully issued CDLs are revoked. Earlier, the DOT withheld $40 million after determining California had failed to comply with the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements necessary for issuing commercial licenses.
The investigation gained traction following a tragic incident in Florida involving Harjinder Singh, a driver who received a nondomiciled CDL from California. Singh, who could not speak English, was involved in a fatal crash that resulted in the deaths of three people. The DOT linked this incident to the ongoing issue of foreign drivers in the U.S. lacking the necessary qualifications.
Duffy stated, “So you have 60,000 people on the roads who shouldn’t have licenses,” emphasizing the potential danger these drivers pose. He pointed out that these individuals are operating hazardous vehicles, including fuel tankers and school buses, which can lead to catastrophic accidents.
The situation escalated further after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a pause on issuing new worker visas for commercial truck drivers, citing the increasing risks associated with foreign drivers on U.S. highways. Rubio stated, “The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives.”
As the controversy unfolds, California Governor Gavin Newsom has yet to respond to the DOT’s latest actions. However, his office previously defended the state’s licensing practices, claiming that California’s commercial driver’s license holders have a fatal crash rate nearly 40% lower than the national average.
The DOT’s actions and statements have ignited heated discussions about road safety, immigration, and state compliance with federal regulations. As the situation develops, residents and officials alike are awaiting further clarification on the implications for public safety and transportation funding.
Authorities are urging those affected by the license revocations to comply with the notices sent and to seek legal advice if necessary. The ramifications of this decision may reshape the landscape of commercial driving in California and beyond.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story continues to develop.
