A recent cargo theft involving over $1.6 million worth of electronic devices has exposed flaws in California’s review system for non-citizens applying for commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs).
Authorities reported recovering more than $1.6 million in stolen electronics from tractor trailers. The vehicle was operated by a CDL holder who reportedly went by “no name given” and had the last name “Diamond,” as noted by Overdrive.
The theft occurred at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Grapevine, Texas. Law enforcement tracked the stolen load as it moved through Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, eventually coordinating efforts with the Arizona Highway Patrol to intercept the load on I-40.
When law enforcement stopped a tractor trailer near Flagstaff, they found three individuals inside. Two were identified as drivers, and all three were taken into custody, according to Overdrive.
A spokesperson from the California DMV defended the issuance of CDLs to such drivers, explaining that this policy complies with existing laws. They mentioned that some individuals from regions like Afghanistan typically have only one name, a factor taken into consideration by U.S. citizenship and immigration services.
“California law mandates that applicants for a driver’s license (DL) or ID card provide identity documents, like birth certificates or passports, which must reflect their ‘true full name,'” said a DMV spokesperson to Overdrive. “If an applicant’s ID lists ‘No Name Given’ as their first name, that will be recorded as such on their DL/ID card.”
California issues a “limited period” CDL to non-citizens without verifying their citizenship status. Federal law stipulates that CDL applicants must show evidence of legal residency, but the state accepts various residential documents, including utility bills and employer letters. A recent law aims to broaden access to legitimate ID by 2027, including for undocumented immigrants.
