Trump Administration Withholds Funding from Pennsylvania Over CDL Issues
The Trump administration has announced a decision to hold back $75 million in federal funds from Pennsylvania unless the state addresses its commercial driver’s license (CDL) roster. This comes in the wake of the arrest of an Uzbek national, Akror Bozorov, who had a PennDOT license, in Kansas on terrorism-related charges.
Pennsylvania Senator Jarrett Coleman, a Republican from Allentown, previously alerted Fox News Digital about what he described as a mounting crisis, highlighting similar incidents in the past.
Governor Josh Shapiro stated that the issue stemmed from the Trump administration, which left Bozorov’s name on a federal noncitizen database. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) clarified that being in the database doesn’t necessarily confirm legal immigration status.
On Thursday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a warning to Pennsylvania after the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that Harrisburg had violated federal safety regulations by issuing CDLs unlawfully to individuals not verified as eligible.
Duffy noted that under the Trump administration, efforts are being made to prevent noncitizens from operating large vehicles on American roads. He criticized President Biden for allowing many illegal immigrants into the country, including those who might pose a threat.
Fox News Digital also acquired a letter Duffy intends to send to PennDOT Secretary Michael Carroll, emphasizing the need for compliance in improving safety with large trucks and buses.
The Department of Transportation pointed out that Bozorov’s arrest underscores the need for a federal audit of licensing practices nationwide, particularly concerning non-domicile business licenses. The FMCSA’s review indicated that Pennsylvania allowed CDLs to be issued without verifiable lawful presence in the U.S., even giving licenses that expired beyond the legal stay of the recipient.
To avoid losing federal funds, PennDOT and the Shapiro administration must halt all new, renewed, or transferred non-domicile CDL applications immediately. Furthermore, the city of Harrisburg is required to conduct an audit to identify any illegally issued CDLs and take steps to revoke them.
This announcement aligns with Trump’s renewed focus on highway safety and a push to make English the official language of the United States.
The DHS and local police departments are starting to collaborate at weigh stations to ensure that foreign truck drivers meet language, documentation, and safety law requirements.
PennDOT spokeswoman Alexis Campbell responded to inquiries, stating that the department had already suspended non-domicile CDLs and cooperated fully with FMCSA audits, which she claims found no instances of ineligible licenses being issued.
She emphasized that all noncitizen applicants must provide proof of identity and legal presence through the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database managed by DHS.
Senator Coleman described the situation as “not just a bureaucratic delay,” noting its potential threat to public safety. Pennsylvania House Minority Leader Jesse Topper expressed serious concern about how Bozorov obtained his licenses, calling for accountability from the Shapiro administration.
Topper has also reached out to state Attorney General David Sunday and Comptroller General Timothy DeFoor, requesting an investigation into the licensing and voter registration processes to prevent future incidents.
In response to the calls for investigation, Carroll and Republican Secretary of State Al Schmidt defended their practices, asserting that noncitizens do not receive the same voting opportunities as citizens.
