On Tuesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” where he reaffirmed his stance against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Meanwhile, a troubling report has emerged concerning California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which acknowledged illegally issuing 17,000 Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) to foreign drivers without proper documentation. This revelation raises significant safety concerns about who is on America’s roads, driving large vehicles like semitrucks and school buses.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy detailed this issue, which surfaced during a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) audit. The audit revealed systemic failures within California’s DMV process that allowed these non-domiciled CDLs to be granted. Federal requirements dictate that licenses be linked to valid visa statuses, yet audits found that over 25% of records were non-compliant.
“After weeks of claiming they did nothing wrong, Gavin Newsom and California have been caught red-handed,” Duffy stated. His comments underscore the seriousness of the situation. The 17,000 licenses are now set to expire within 60 days as notices have been dispatched to their holders. The FMCSA is demanding a thorough review to ensure every illegally issued license is revoked.
The implications of this situation are severe. Recent tragic incidents involving foreign drivers highlight the urgent need for stringent oversight. In one case, Harjinder Singh, an illegal alien truck driver from California, was implicated in a deadly crash that killed three Americans after he made an illegal U-turn. Singh’s inability to understand English prevented him from adhering to critical traffic laws. “He couldn’t read road signs,” Duffy explained, illustrating the risks posed when regulations are not adequately enforced.
Furthermore, another alarming case involved Jashanpreet Singh, a 21-year-old illegal immigrant accused of vehicular manslaughter after crashing a semi-truck on a California freeway. Initially facing severe charges, his case was reduced after it was confirmed that he was not under the influence of substances, but the damage had already been done.
In addition to calls for the revocation of illegally issued licenses, Duffy has confirmed that more than $40 million in federal funds will be withheld from California due to non-compliance with English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards for commercial drivers. The state has repeatedly shown reluctance to meet these essential regulatory requirements. The California Highway Patrol has openly stated that it would not implement ELP mandates, further pressuring federal authorities to take action.
The FMCSA’s ongoing audit not only highlights lapses in California’s DMV operations but also emphasizes the need for robust public safety measures. It is evident that the state must address these systemic policy failures to protect Americans on the road. With federal scrutiny increasing and significant consequences for non-compliance looming, the situation remains critical. The federal government is now pushing California to rectify these flaws and enhance safety protocols for all drivers on the highways.
As these developments unfold, the state’s response to federal inquiries and mandates will likely shape the future of commercial driving regulations in California. With its reputation on the line, California’s leadership faces an uphill battle to regain trust and ensure that public safety remains a priority.
"*" indicates required fields
