California has been accused of leading the nation in the improper issuance of commercial driver’s licenses to foreign nationals, raising concerns about public safety. Federal regulators blame Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration for prioritizing politics over safety, linking it to fatal accidents on highways across the country.
California is at the center of a significant trucking scandal, with allegations that Newsom’s administration has approved thousands of illegal foreign commercial driver’s licenses against federal regulations. A critical audit by the Department of Transportation revealed that about 25% of the state’s non-domicile commercial driver’s licenses were improperly granted, with some licenses valid until 2030 despite the expiration of the immigration documents years earlier. Federal officials argue that these reckless licensing practices are already leading to deadly incidents, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is warning that California might face the loss of hundreds of millions in highway funding unless there are changes.
After a tragic crash in October near Los Angeles that claimed three lives, caused by a CDL driver without a California address, Transportation Secretary Duffy released a harsh report criticizing Governor Newsom’s disregard for federal law.
“Had Governor Newsom adhered to our new regulations, this tragedy could have been avoided,” Duffy stated in his report. “California has broken the law, resulting in three fatalities and two injuries. Those responsible must face justice. There will be repercussions.”
The findings indicate that California holds the highest number of non-domiciled CDL holders in the country, approximately 60,000, with reports suggesting that 25% of these licenses are improperly issued. Alarmingly, many of these licenses remain valid long after the driver’s immigration status has lapsed.
On September 1, it was noted that Texas has the largest percentage of commercial driver’s license holders facing “cease and desist” orders due to a lack of English proficiency. “Governor Abbott demands Texas trucking companies comply fully with President Trump’s executive orders,” stated Andrew Maharelis, a spokesperson for Governor Abbott.
Since then, Texas has intensified its regulation of these truck drivers, now ranking fifth behind states like California, New York, and Florida.
“While states like California endanger lives by issuing permits to undocumented immigrants, Texas is committed to collaborating with federal partners to uphold road safety, apprehend illegal immigrants, and safeguard our communities,” Governor Abbott remarked recently.
The DOT shared details about the ramifications of California’s non-compliance with federal regulations:
- October 27, 2025: California grants a limited no-domicile CDL to 20-year-old asylum seeker Jashanpreet Singh, who is restricted to driving only within the state.
- September 26, 2025: Secretary Duffy takes office and announces California’s audit revealing significant violations, including that one in four non-domiciled CDLs were improperly issued. Compliance actions required from California include halting the issuance of CDLs without domicile, identifying all non-compliant licenses, and revoking and reissuing non-compliant ones.
- September 26, 2025: FMCSA implements an emergency rule that tightens eligibility for non-domiciled CDLs, ensuring noncitizens meet stricter criteria, including holding an employment-based visa and undergoing a federal immigration status check.
- October 15, 2025: Singh turns 21, and despite federal regulations, California upgrades his driving privileges without applying stricter standards.
- October 21, 2025: Singh is involved in a serious crash while operating a drug-impaired semi-truck.
- If California had enforced the Secretary’s emergency rules, Singh would have been ineligible for the upgraded driving privileges due to his asylum status.
- Warning signs about California’s flawed CDL program had been issued to Governor Newsom, directly linking the dangerous regulations to incidents involving commercial vehicles.
Despite ongoing fatal accidents, foreign drivers lacking English proficiency contribute to hazardous situations on U.S. highways. Recently, a report highlighted a severe incident in Tennessee where a truck driver died after colliding with a vehicle, driven by a Chinese national with a non-domiciled CDL who was reportedly watching a video on their phone.
“This week, a Chinese national driving a motorcoach caused a deadly crash in Tennessee, leading to significant traffic disruptions,” Secretary Duffy shared on social media, emphasizing that the driver lacked English skills and held a non-domiciled CDL from New York.
“Some states are carelessly issuing CDLs to individuals who should not hold them, allowing them to operate massive vehicles on public roads,” Duffy exclaimed. “We will ensure accountability.”
