Father Advocates for Dalila’s Law After Daughter’s Tragic Accident

A father, whose daughter suffered severe injuries from a collision caused by an undocumented truck driver, is urging lawmakers to take more decisive action to protect American lives and tackle the underlying issues in the trucking industry.

During his recent State of the Union address, President Trump introduced Dalila’s Act, a proposed law aimed at preventing undocumented individuals from securing commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and addressing important regulatory gaps in the trucking sector. The bill, named after the young girl who was seriously hurt in an accident, reflects the administration’s ongoing efforts to address the problems posed by unqualified foreign drivers.

Marcus Coleman, Dalila’s father, is not only in favor of this bill, he’s actively collaborating with lawmakers to push it forward. He appreciates the measure’s intent to restrict CDLs for illegal immigrants but emphasizes that broader reforms are necessary to enhance highway safety overall, mentioning the troubling issue of “chameleon carriers.” He explained, “It was a chameleon carrier that hit Dalila. If memory serves, there were five or six different companies associated with that truck.”

The term “chameleon carrier” describes trucking firms that frequently change their Department of Transportation (DOT) registration and identities to evade penalties. When these companies are shut down, they often re-emerge under new names, using the same personnel and vehicles.

Coleman pointed out that the trucking company involved in his daughter’s accident had changed its identity multiple times leading up to and after the incident. “In the two to three years before her accident and even a year after, six different companies had been established already,” he claimed.

Dalila and her stepfather were part of a multi-car accident that put her in a critical condition. She had to be airlifted to a hospital in San Bernardino County on June 20, 2024. The crash severely impacted her life—leaving her unable to walk, talk, eat, or attend school, and necessitating six months of medical care before she could return home.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, an Indian national named Partap Singh was arrested for causing the accident. Singh is accused of unsafe driving practices, and records reveal he illegally entered the U.S. in October 2022. He was released by the Biden administration, obtained a CDL from California, and was later taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after the accident.

Following a rise in fatal crashes involving undocumented truck drivers, the Department of Transportation took steps in September to tighten restrictions on non-domiciled CDLs. A recent federal audit revealed troubling findings about states unlawfully issuing licenses to foreign drivers. Additional measures were introduced in February to enhance vetting processes and close loopholes allowing individuals with poor driving histories to obtain trucking licenses.

During the State of the Union, Trump invited both Dalila and her father, showcasing Dalila’s Law to a national audience. Shortly after, Indiana Senator Jim Banks introduced the bill formally.

If enacted, this legislation would restrict truck driver licenses to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and specific work visa holders. It would also nullify any truck driver’s licenses granted to undocumented immigrants and mandate that CDL examinations be conducted exclusively in English.

Senator Banks is spearheading efforts to tackle the issues in the trucking industry. Indiana Republicans have recently created a truck driver tip line to report any misconduct and sent a letter to the Federal Motor Carrier Administration advocating for action against chameleon carriers.

Coleman expressed his support for Banks’ bill but is eager to work together on a few revisions. He believes that in addition to preventing immigrant drivers from operating, it’s crucial to address the brokers and companies that hire these drivers. “Everyone seems focused on pushing immigrant drivers away,” he noted. “However, if we fail to confront the root issues, we might see a shift from immigrant drivers to others who are equally unqualified.”

Coleman remarked on the long road to recovery for Dalila, who lives with cerebral palsy and developmental challenges. Still, he finds hope in her gradual progress, reflecting on what the passage of this bill would mean for her. “You know, most people leave no lasting impact on the world,” he said. “But once this law is passed, it’s something that can’t be easily undone—it will be on the federal books forever. I’m hopeful for that.”