Illinois Representative Proposes Bill to Tackle Sanctuary States and Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants

Illinois Representative Proposes Bill to Tackle Sanctuary States and Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants

Illinois Republican Representative Mary Miller, a vocal critic of Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker, is taking a firm stance against sanctuary states. She has introduced a bill aimed at curtailing what she describes as a dangerous practice of allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain commercial driver’s licenses. In her view, these policies are “gambling with American lives.”

In an official statement relayed to Fox News Digital, Miller outlined the intent of her legislation, the SAFE Driving Laws Act. This bill seeks to address the current framework in 19 sanctuary states, which she claims creates an extreme level of risk for everyone on the road. The bill specifically targets the issuance of both individual driver’s licenses and commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to undocumented immigrants.

Potential Implications of the SAFE Driving Laws Act

If the bill passes, it would impose significant consequences on states that issue driver’s licenses to undocumented individuals or fail to report information to federal authorities regarding unauthorized immigrants. Funding from the National Highway Performance and Surface Transportation Block Grant programs would be withheld from non-compliant states.

Specifically, states that do not adhere to the proposed legislation by the fiscal year 2027, which begins in October 2026, would face a 50% cut in funding from these two critical federal programs. This funding loss would last for the entire fiscal year and continue indefinitely as long as the states remain out of compliance.

Financial Stakes for Sanctuary States

Miller’s office has highlighted that the proposed penalties present some of the steepest among federal highway funding sanctions. For example, the potential forfeiture surpasses the penalties imposed for not enforcing the national drinking age, which only results in an 8% withholding.

The financial stakes are considerable. Using projections for fiscal year 2025, Miller’s office estimates that California could lose approximately $1.9 billion in federal transport funds, while Illinois could face a cut of $788 million and New York about $900 million.

Response from Officials

Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom, responded to Miller’s proposed legislation, describing it as a “witch hunt” fueled by falsehoods directed at states that adhere to federal immigration laws.

Case Highlighting the Issue

This bill’s introduction occurs amidst heightened scrutiny following a tragic incident in Florida, where undocumented immigrant Harjinder Singh is charged with vehicular homicide. Singh’s illegal U-turn in St. Lucie County resulted in the death of three individuals. Notably, Singh had received work authorization from the Biden administration in 2021, and subsequently obtained a driver’s license in Washington and a CDL in California.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reviewed Singh’s English language skills and ability to understand road signs after the incident. The findings were alarming; he successfully identified only one of four road signs during the examination and answered just two out of twelve questions related to his English comprehension.

Broader Implications of the Bill

Beyond imposing penalties on states that issue these licenses, Miller’s bill targets states that restrict local or state entities from gathering and transmitting information about undocumented immigrants to the Department of Homeland Security. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that both the secretaries of Transportation and Homeland Security maintain a publicly available record that shows each state’s compliance status with the law.

Miller directly criticized state leaders, specifically pointing fingers at her home state of Illinois. She argued that sanctuary policies which allow the distribution of driver’s licenses and CDLs to undocumented individuals are recklessly jeopardizing public safety. Miller stated, “It’s an irresponsible policy that puts innocent Americans in grave danger.”

She added that her legislation is intended to ensure states comply with federal directives or face the severe consequence of losing vital federal funding.

The Path Ahead for the SAFE Driving Laws Act

Fox News Digital reached out to both Pritzker’s office and New York Governor Kathy Hochul for their perspectives on Miller’s bill, but did not immediately receive any comments. As the debate surrounding immigration policy and public safety continues to unfold, the SAFE Driving Laws Act represents a significant legislative effort aimed at ensuring that federal standards regarding licensing are uniformly enforced across all states.

The implications of this bill extend well beyond state lines. With potential financial repercussions and heightened scrutiny on existing sanctuary policies, how states respond to this proposed legislation could shape the future of immigration practices and public safety measures across the nation.