High-Stakes CDL Showdown: Federal Grants Clash with California’s Immigrant Labor Force

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has heightened an ongoing conflict with California, cautioning that the state could lose $160 million in federal funds due to its practice of granting commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) to noncitizens. Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Duffy stressed that Governor Gavin Newsom has not adhered to federal directives that require California to stop issuing these licenses and to reassess those already granted. "We also have the authority to revoke California's power to distribute commercial driver's licenses," Duffy stated, hinting at the possibility of stripping the state of its CDL program oversight, according to an

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This warning comes as part of a larger federal effort to restrict CDLs for noncitizens, following several deadly accidents involving immigrant drivers. In September, the Transportation Department imposed stricter rules, narrowing CDL eligibility to three visa types and mandating that states confirm applicants' immigration status through a federal system. According to the AP, these licenses will now be valid for a maximum of one year or until the visa expires, whichever occurs first.

California has stood by its licensing approach, pointing out that its CDL drivers have a lower accident rate than the national average and Texas, which has the highest number of commercial drivers. A spokesperson for Newsom previously dismissed Duffy's remarks, asserting that the state's licensing process is both lawful and secure. Nevertheless, federal investigators discovered that California improperly processed 25% of 145 licenses reviewed, including four that remained active years after the drivers' work permits had expired, the AP reported.

The origins of the dispute can be traced to a deadly crash in Florida in 2023, where a driver of Indian descent, allegedly in the country unlawfully, made an illegal U-turn that resulted in three deaths. An ensuing audit uncovered widespread licensing issues in California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington, with Duffy estimating that 60,000 noncitizens in California possess invalid licenses. "They're operating fuel tankers and school buses," Duffy remarked, noting that such drivers have been involved in fatal incidents, according to the AP.

Duffy also pointed to a separate $40 million penalty imposed on California for not upholding English proficiency standards for truck drivers, a regulation that predates the Florida accident. California's official reply to the Transportation Department failed to meet federal expectations, with officials arguing that the state's policies put public safety at risk, the AP added.

This clash highlights a deeper ideological divide between federal and state governments over immigration policy and regulatory independence. Newsom's office has yet to comment on the latest developments, but the administration has consistently portrayed its CDL program as essential for immigrant workers. On the other hand, critics like Duffy contend that weak oversight fosters fraud and endangers road safety, the AP noted.

Losing the authority to issue CDLs could have a significant effect on California's trucking sector, which depends heavily on immigrant drivers. If enforced, the penalty would be similar to previous federal strategies that used transportation funding as leverage to push for policy changes, such as seat-belt and speed limit laws, as mentioned in a

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As the conflict persists, the Transportation Department's actions have come under fire from both sides of the political aisle. While Republicans generally back the stricter measures, Democrats have condemned the funding threats as harsh and ineffective. The controversy is expected to escalate as federal authorities consider additional enforcement steps, the AP concluded.