Washington, March 31: A group of Republican senators has introduced a new bill aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from obtaining or using Commercial Driving Licenses (CDLs). The proposal includes strict penalties for drivers and states that issue such licenses.
The bill, named the “Dahliahs Law Act,” was presented by Senators Shelley Moore Capito, John Cornyn, Ted Budd, Cynthia Lummis, and Tommy Tuberville. Its goal is to tighten federal oversight and enforce criminal and civil penalties related to the issuance and use of CDLs by undocumented immigrants.
Capito stated, “The purpose of the Dahliahs Law Act is to protect American families and ensure safety for everyone on our roads. I appreciate Senator Cornyn’s commitment to this issue. Commercial drivers carry significant responsibility, and there should be clear and uniform standards for all drivers.”
She added that this law would “close dangerous loopholes and reinforce the principle that compliance with the law and public safety must always be a priority.”
Cornyn described the bill as a response to policy failures at the border. He remarked, “It is tragic that innocent American citizens like Dahlia Coleman are paying the price for Democrats’ open-border policies,” and accused undocumented drivers of operating large commercial vehicles dangerously on our roads.
He emphasized, “Our bill will eliminate this attraction while holding illegal immigrant drivers and the states that enable them accountable.”
The legislation proposes several measures, including new criminal penalties for undocumented individuals using CDLs in interstate commerce and mandatory minimum sentences for accidents involving such drivers. Additionally, it suggests including death as a serious factor in cases of fatal accidents.
The bill also contains stringent immigration-related provisions, such as classifying certain offenses as “aggravated felonies,” which could initiate mandatory detention and deportation processes. Furthermore, applicants for CDLs would need to provide proof of employment eligibility through E-Verify or a similar system.
States would be required to maintain verification records and submit them to the transportation department when necessary. Moreover, criminal penalties would apply to state officials who fail to check immigration status before issuing CDLs.
Senator Budd referenced a recent accident in California, stating, “A five-year-old girl is living with serious injuries because an illegal immigrant recklessly drove an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle, which was issued a CDL by the state of California. This must not happen again.”
Lummis emphasized public safety, asserting, “Every American sharing the road with an 80,000-pound truck has the right to know that the driver obtained that license legally.” She added that issuing licenses to undocumented individuals is “a betrayal of public trust.”
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My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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