A recent federal investigation has spotlighted significant issues in Minnesota’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) issuance process. The U.S. Department of Transportation is pressing Governor Tim Walz to address findings that suggest over one-third of CDLs issued to non-domiciled individuals may have been granted illegally. If corrective measures aren’t taken within 30 days, the state risks losing $30 million in federal highway funding.
This mandate follows an audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which reveals serious lapses in adherence to federal law. According to regulations, states can issue CDLs to non-domiciled individuals, typically foreign nationals, but only if they can prove legal presence and their licenses align with the expiration of their lawful stay. The findings from the audit indicate that Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) did not adequately verify immigration status in a troubling number of cases.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed his concerns directly, stating, “It is unacceptable that more than one-third of these licenses may have been issued without proper legal status checks.” He highlighted the risks posed by potentially unqualified individuals operating heavy commercial vehicles on U.S. highways, which presents a substantial public safety risk.
Internal estimates suggest that more than 330 of the approximately 1,000 non-domiciled licenses issued in the last two years may lack the necessary legal verifications. Auditors conclude that many licenses were granted without proper checks or were issued with expiration dates beyond what federal law allows. The issue seems rooted in Minnesota’s practices for verifying legal presence. Reports indicate that state officials relied on certain documentation and the federal SAVE system for cross-checking immigration status. However, the audit indicates that this system either returned incomplete data or was not utilized in many cases.
A senior FMCSA official noted, “We found multiple instances where state personnel bypassed required immigration checks.” This points to serious flaws in the oversight process at the Minnesota DPS, raising concerns about its ability to comply with federal regulations.
In response to the investigation, Minnesota officials are reportedly considering halting the issuance of new non-domiciled CDLs while launching an internal review. Meanwhile, FMCSA insists on a comprehensive audit and a revocation plan for any licenses found to be issued unlawfully. The stakes are high; federal transportation funds support vital infrastructure programs, such as bridge repairs and truck inspections. A $30 million funding cut could have severe implications for Minnesota’s transportation budget and critical projects.
Public safety remains the primary issue driving federal scrutiny. FMCSA policy dictates that non-domiciled CDL holders must meet the same commercial driving standards as citizens, albeit with stricter documentation requirements due to their temporary status. If these standards are neglected, it creates significant risks, including the possibility of unlawfully present individuals gaining the ability to operate large vehicles across state lines.
This situation in Minnesota echoes a past issue in Pennsylvania, where federal authorities discovered deficiencies in the issuance of CDLs leading to serious consequences. The case involved an Uzbek national, Akhror Bozorov, who was arrested on terrorism-related charges after being granted a CDL illegally. This incident prompted Pennsylvania to suspend non-domiciled CDL activities and raised the possibility of federal funding being withheld until compliance was demonstrated. Duffy referenced this case directly in his letter, underscoring the need for Minnesota to prevent a similar lapse.
While no charges have been filed against individuals involved in Minnesota’s CDL program, there’s mounting pressure from Republicans in the state legislature for an investigation into the DPS’s procedures. One lawmaker emphasized, “A state agency cannot be allowed to play fast and loose with Homeland Security requirements,” highlighting the risk of granting licenses to unqualified individuals.
Concerns about national security are also on the rise, with officials regarding the CDL system as a growing vulnerability in immigration enforcement. In 2022, the Department of Homeland Security flagged several states for procedural gaps in their non-domiciled CDL programs. Minnesota now finds itself under heightened scrutiny alongside at least three other states.
With the 30-day deadline looming, Governor Walz is expected to provide a compliance plan to the U.S. Department of Transportation that outlines measures to revoke any improperly issued licenses, update training standards for DPS staff, and reinforce immigration verification protocols. If the federal government deems the plan inadequate, the loss of funding could be enacted as soon as this fall.
The implications of this scandal extend to legitimate commercial drivers holding non-domiciled CDLs. Experts warn of potential logistical disruptions if the state has to revoke a significant number of licenses and retrain personnel. For companies employing foreign drivers with temporary visas, this situation could create staffing shortages.
Should FMCSA find widespread violations of federal regulations in Minnesota’s CDL issuance, it could initiate a broader national policy crisis. The U.S. Government Accountability Office is currently reviewing whether existing federal guidelines on state CDL checks require tightening, especially concerning the reliability of the SAVE system.
As the deadline approaches, the actions of Governor Walz will be scrutinized closely. His response will determine whether Minnesota can maintain its funding and ensure safety on its highways.
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