Concerns Over CDL Licenses Issued to Undocumented Immigrants

Legislators in Pennsylvania raised alarms ahead of the arrest of an Uzbek immigrant truck driver in Kansas who has a commercial driver’s license issued by PennDOT. Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee Chairman Jarrett Coleman expressed his worries in a letter to Mike Carroll, the state’s Transportation Secretary, questioning how undocumented immigrants manage to obtain such licenses despite rigorous background checks.

Coleman, a Republican from Allentown, found the situation alarming but not entirely unexpected. He criticized the Shapiro administration for prioritizing political concerns over public safety. “Pennsylvanians deserve answers here, and if there isn’t any, we could face a much more significant issue,” he said.

“Public safety is non-negotiable,” Coleman insisted. “Just ten days ago, my colleagues and I sought clarification from PennDOT about the safeguards in place to prevent undocumented individuals from obtaining a CDL, particularly those with criminal histories.”

His letter follows reports that over a dozen licenses were given to undocumented immigrants following an October operation in Oklahoma that captured around 80 non-citizen truck drivers.

Coleman pointed out that while Governor Shapiro is quick to appear in front of cameras, he remains silent on crucial public safety questions. “This isn’t merely bureaucracy; it’s a risk,” he stated.

The letter was co-signed by several colleagues, including Senators Doug Mastriano, Christine Phillips-Hill, and Dawn Kiefer. They requested extensive data from Carroll, including whether PennDOT had reviewed the files of CDL holders arrested by ICE and if these drivers had been accurately verified when their licenses were issued.

They also inquired if PennDOT was utilizing the federally mandated verification processes for non-citizen applicants. Recently, a federal judge had reprimanded USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy and reversed the suspension of his driving license.

Carroll’s office confirmed receipt of Coleman’s letter and stated that PennDOT adheres to proper protocols for verifying non-citizen applicants. A spokesperson emphasized that every applicant’s legal status is thoroughly checked against federal databases prior to issuing a license.

Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Republican Party has demanded that Governor Shapiro address the ongoing issue. PAGOP Chairman Greg Rothman voiced strong concerns about potential breaches of national security, questioning how someone with ties to terrorism could obtain a CDL.

As scrutiny increases, Shapiro’s office suggested that critics should direct their questions toward the previous administration, especially regarding the policies that allowed this to happen.

“The PAGOP formally requests a full investigation into how this occurred,” they stated. The immigrant, Akhror Bozorov, reportedly received a REAL ID certification from PennDOT, raising further concerns among state officials.

The situation around Bozorov’s arrest has prompted calls for clarity on how non-citizens navigate the system to obtain driver’s licenses, particularly in light of public safety implications.