HOUSE GOP SEEKS TO STRIP BYRNE JAG FROM STATES ISSUING LICENSES TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS; DOT GIVES CA, WA, NM 30 DAYS ON CDL COMPLIANCE

Rep. Jodey Arrington introduced the Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act to cut Edward Byrne JAG funds from states that issue licenses regardless of immigration status and to mandate state/local cooperation with DHS requests. The push follows a deadly Florida truck crash allegedly involving an undocumented driver with CDLs from multiple states. DOT has given California, Washington, and New Mexico 30 days to prove compliance with federal CDL English-proficiency and related rules or risk transportation funding penalties. Nineteen states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico allow some form of licensing regardless of immigration status, setting up potential legal and political fights.