Federal Funding at Risk for Pennsylvania Amid CDL Controversy Linked to Illegal Immigrant

Federal Funding at Risk for Pennsylvania Amid CDL Controversy Linked to Illegal Immigrant

FIRST ON FOX: The Trump administration announced a potential withholding of $75 million in federal funding from Pennsylvania unless the state addresses serious issues concerning its commercial driver’s license (CDL) system. This warning follows the arrest of an Uzbek national, identified as a terrorism suspect, who was apprehended in Kansas while possessing a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) license.

Pennsylvania state Senator Jarrett Coleman, representing Allentown, previously alerted Fox News Digital about the growing crisis and shared a letter he sent to Governor Josh Shapiro. He highlighted that this incident was not isolated, pointing to a similar situation that had previously raised alarms.

In response to the serious allegations, Governor Shapiro indicated on Wednesday that the responsibility for Akhror Bozorov’s name remaining in a federal database lay with the Trump administration. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) clarified that being listed in this database does not equate to having legal immigration status.

Federal Regulations Violation Uncovered

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reported on Thursday that an audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revealed that Pennsylvania had breached federal safety regulations. Notably, the state was found to have issued “non-domicile” CDLs in violation of the law.

Duffy’s office stated that PennDOT had incorrectly granted driver’s licenses to individuals deemed ineligible without verifying their legal status. He reassured the public, stating, “Under President Trump, this Department is taking every measure to ensure dangerous foreign drivers aren’t illegally operating 40-ton vehicles on American roads.”

He also pointed fingers at President Joe Biden for allegedly allowing millions of illegal immigrants to enter the nation, including Bozorov, who was then permitted by Pennsylvania to operate a commercial vehicle.

Request for Immediate Action

Fox News Digital obtained a letter Duffy plans to send to both Governor Shapiro and PennDOT Secretary Michael Carroll, urging them to take immediate action. The letter emphasized Pennsylvania’s crucial role in aiding FMCSA’s mission to reduce the rates of crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large vehicles.

Specifically, the Department of Transportation cited Bozorov’s illegal presence in the country and highlighted that Pennsylvania’s decision to issue him a CDL as recently as July underscores the need for a comprehensive federal audit of all non-domiciled commercial licenses across the country.

The FMCSA review further revealed that Pennsylvania had not required proof of lawful presence in the United States prior to granting CDLs and was issuing licenses with expiration dates that extended beyond the recipients’ authorized stays.

Requirements for Compliance and State Review

To avoid losing the $75 million in federal funding, PennDOT and the Shapiro administration must immediately halt all new, renewed, transferred, or upgraded non-domiciled CDLs and commercial learner’s permits. Additionally, Harrisburg is required to conduct a thorough internal audit to identify every improperly issued CDL that goes against federal policies. This includes the decisive actions of voiding or rescinding all unexpired noncompliant licenses and removing unqualified drivers from the roads.

Duffy’s announcement aligns with President Trump’s prior proclamations to establish English as the official language of the United States and a renewed emphasis on highway safety.

Broadening Safety Measures

The Department of Homeland Security, along with local police forces, has been working at weigh stations to check the qualifications of foreign nationals driving large trucks, focusing on their command of English, necessary legal documentation, and understanding of highway regulations.

Responding to inquiries from Fox News Digital, a representative for Governor Shapiro provided insights from PennDOT spokesperson Alexis Campbell. She stated that the department had previously paused all non-domiciled CDLs and cooperated fully with FMCSA’s ongoing audit, which she claimed did not uncover any instances of licenses issued to ineligible applicants.

“All non-citizens who apply for driver’s licenses, including CDLs, need to present proof of identity while verifying their legal presence in the country through the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database,” Campbell noted. “PennDOT adheres to established federal processes to ascertain the lawful presence of every applicant using the SAVE database.”

Political Ramifications and Calls for Accountability

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Senator Coleman criticized the unfolding situation as more than just administrative inefficiency, labeling it as dangerous stonewalling. He emphasized that public safety must be a top priority.

Pennsylvania House Minority Leader Jesse Topper expressed his concerns regarding Bozorov’s ability to acquire a REAL ID and CDL, calling the situation “egregious.”

He insisted that Pennsylvanians deserve transparency and that the Shapiro administration must be held accountable for what he termed a serious lapse in judgment and security.

To this end, Topper has taken the initiative to draft a letter addressed to Attorney General David Sunday and Auditor General Timothy DeFoor, both Republicans, requesting an investigation into the state’s licensing and voter registration systems. He aims to uncover how this incident transpired and to prevent future occurrences.

Disputes Over Licensing Processes

In a response shared with Fox News Digital, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt and Secretary Carroll disputed the claims made by legislative leaders, clarifying that noncitizens do not receive the same motor-voter options as U.S. citizens when applying for licenses.

This ongoing debate reflects broader uncertainties about immigration policy, public safety measures, and the accountability of state governments in upholding federal regulations. As Pennsylvania navigates this tumultuous landscape, the potential implications for federal funding and public security hang in the balance.