A federal audit has revealed that over half (54%) of commercial truck driver licenses issued to non-domiciled immigrants in North Carolina were granted unlawfully, prompting a threat from the U.S. Department of Transportation to withhold $50 million in funding. This action is part of a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on states with lax commercial driver licensing practices.
The Scope of the Problem
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that a significant portion of North Carolina’s non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) were issued to individuals either ineligible under federal rules or with licenses that extended beyond their documented legal presence in the United States. This mirrors a similar issue previously identified in California, where thousands of immigrant truckers were found operating under questionable licenses.
The audit revealed licenses were sometimes issued before verifying the driver’s legal status. This is a direct violation of federal regulations, which require states to ensure compliance with immigration laws before granting CDLs.
Federal Response and Funding Threat
Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy has demanded immediate corrective action from North Carolina. The state is being ordered to:
- Halt all new non-domiciled CDL issuances.
- Conduct a full compliance review of existing licenses.
- Revoke and reissue licenses for drivers who meet federal criteria.
- Perform a comprehensive internal audit to identify systemic failures in the licensing process.
FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs described the noncompliance as “egregious,” underscoring the seriousness of the issue.
“Under Secretary Duffy, we will not hesitate to hold states accountable and protect the American people,” Barrs stated.
Broader Federal Crackdown
North Carolina is not alone. The Department of Transportation is already threatening to withhold funding from California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and New York over similar licensing irregularities. This suggests a nationwide issue with state-level compliance with federal commercial driver regulations.
Why This Matters
The federal crackdown on immigrant truck driver licensing is driven by concerns over national security and safety. Non-compliant licenses potentially allow unauthorized individuals to operate commercial vehicles across state lines, raising questions about background checks, legal residency verification, and the potential for undocumented workers in critical infrastructure roles.
The crackdown also highlights a broader trend: increased federal enforcement of immigration-related regulations at the state level, using financial pressure as leverage. This strategy sets a precedent for how the federal government may address similar issues in other sectors.
The situation in North Carolina underscores the need for stricter oversight of state licensing systems and better coordination between federal and state agencies to ensure compliance with immigration laws in the commercial trucking industry.
