Pennsylvania GOP Calls for Action on Illegal Immigrant Truck Drivers
Pennsylvania Republicans are urging Democrats to address concerns regarding illegal immigrant truck drivers operating on U.S. highways. This push comes after several foreign nationals involved in troubling incidents were identified as having Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), raising tensions between Harrisburg and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Republicans argue that these problems don’t seem as pronounced in other states. Democratic leaders, including Governor Josh Shapiro, have previously suggested that DHS is mishandling its “Save Alien Verification” (SAVE) database. Although PennDOT claims to use this database to confirm legal status during CDL applications, following the recent arrest of an illegal immigrant truck driver far from Pennsylvania, Republican officials demanded clarification from PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll.
Interestingly, while Shapiro’s campaign didn’t outright reject the Republican-led initiatives, including proposals to shut down “CDL factories,” they did note the Biden administration’s rule changes that have contributed to the current situation. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy likened it to earlier social services fraud cases in Minnesota involving the Somali community.
“Highway safety is at the core of what we do,” stated Shapiro’s spokeswoman, Rosie Rapowski, after a Senate committee advanced a bill favored by Republican senators aimed at addressing this issue.
Pennsylvania’s government has been divided lately, with a narrow difference in the House and a slight Republican majority in the Senate. Amid these dynamics, some lawmakers have pointed to the SAVE database’s ongoing use by PennDOT, which still issues CDLs based on its verification.
A notable incident involved 13 individuals arrested for allegedly tipping truck drivers at the Pennsylvania DMV, which sparked significant attention. There’s been an emphasis on the legal requirements for obtaining a non-domiciled CDL in Pennsylvania, including proving one’s identity and lawful presence in the U.S.
Shapiro’s allies, however, have not publicly commented on this pressing issue. House Speaker Joanna McClinton’s representative mentioned she was unavailable for further discussion, and others have remained quiet as well. Yet, Republican leaders continue to advocate for reforms aimed at enhancing road safety.
Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee Chairman Jarrett Coleman suggested that requiring English proficiency for truck drivers and cracking down on CDL mills are straightforward steps Pennsylvania could take to bolster road safety.
The proposed legislative package includes several bills. One aims to tackle CDL factories that produce untrained drivers for a profit, while another mandates that English be the primary language for the testing process of aspiring commercial vehicle operators. A third bill seeks to introduce stricter penalties for unsafe drivers who don’t understand English.
A Democratic Party official pointed out the challenges with the registration of CDL training companies, noting that while there are many listed, only a fraction are actually registered with Harrisburg. This presents difficulties for consumers and regulators alike in verifying legitimate training providers.
The legislation is likely to gain traction in the Senate soon, and its fate will ultimately move to McClinton’s chambers, where bipartisan negotiations could occur, particularly given the national interest in the issue.
