Transportation Secretary Withdraws Funding Over Driver Licensing Issue
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently rescinded $73 million in highway grants for New York state after officials declined to revoke commercial truck driver licenses granted to undocumented immigrants.
Duffy communicated his concerns in a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, indicating that failure to revoke these licenses could lead to an additional $147 million in withheld funds.
“I promised the American people that I would hold state leaders accountable for failing to keep them safe from unvetted and unqualified foreign drivers,” Duffy stated. He reiterated his commitment by cutting funding to what he described as “dangerous anti-American policies” in New York.
He made it clear that families must be prioritized on America’s roads, reflecting a strong stance against the state’s current policies.
Since taking office, Duffy has initiated efforts aimed at removing illegal immigrant drivers from U.S. highways.
The Secretary pointed out that the $73 million in funding was withheld due to New York’s refusal to stop allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain commercial licenses.
In New York, both illegal applicants and foreign nationals with short-term visas can automatically qualify for a commercial driver’s license, which is valid for eight years. Although the state ceased issuing permits to undocumented individuals in February, it has not revoked around 32,000 licenses previously granted to nonresidents.
State officials contend they aren’t obligated to retract licenses issued prior to Duffy’s order against granting commercial licenses to nonresidents.
“New York City’s ongoing reluctance to address these issues undermines our mission, and we will not permit federal funds to support a system that breaks the law,” said Derek Bars, Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
The FMCSA expressed disappointment in New York’s Department of Motor Vehicles for not taking corrective steps, emphasizing that withholding federal funds was a necessary outcome due to the state’s lack of compliance with safety standards.
Governor Hochul’s office criticized Duffy, suggesting his actions were part of a broader agenda targeting blue states.
“These claims are unfounded and aim to undermine New York, which has adhered to federal guidelines for issuing commercial driver licenses, as acknowledged by the previous administration,” Hochul’s press secretary, Sean Butler, expressed.
He mentioned that Duffy has consistently threatened to pull funding aimed at ensuring the safety of New Yorkers’ infrastructure, and they intend to resist these actions.
Duffy’s campaign against immigrant truck drivers coincides with an increase in fatal accidents involving foreign drivers, often unable to read or speak English. This issue has reportedly led to several tragic fatalities in recent months, including an incident in which an 11-year-old boy was killed in Ohio.
Moreover, Duffy has indicated that states might have unlawfully issued around 194,000 licenses to foreign truck drivers who fail to meet the Department of Transportation’s English proficiency requirements.
