Dive Brief:
The Dalilah Law Act, recently proposed in the Senate, aims to establish both criminal and civil penalties for undocumented immigrants attempting to acquire or utilize a commercial driver’s license (CDL). This information was shared in a press release by U.S. Senator John Cornyn from Texas.
Senator Cornyn introduced the legislation on March 26, joined by four other senators, and it has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The House is anticipated to vote on its counterpart of the bill in the upcoming weeks.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, a co-sponsor of the bill, emphasized its intent to protect American families, noting that “commercial drivers bear significant responsibility, requiring clear and consistent standards for those operating commercial vehicles.”
Dive Insight:
This bill is a response from the Senate to President Donald Trump’s appeal for legislative action during his State of the Union address on February 24, where he highlighted the urgency of addressing safety concerns, including English proficiency among truck drivers.
The proposed legislation specifies requirements for CDL applicants, mandating written proof of employment eligibility via the government’s E-Verify system or an established state verification process.
The act also outlines penalties for undocumented individuals discovered using a CDL. Such individuals would be categorized as aggravated felons, leading to detention, deportation, and ineligibility for asylum.
Additionally, the bill proposes a death penalty for undocumented immigrants who, while using a CDL, are found responsible for fatalities in vehicular accidents. The congressional version of the Dalilah Law, introduced on March 16, emphasizes the need for English proficiency for obtaining a CDL, enhancing safety measures by ensuring CDL holders can comprehend English, road signs, and instructions from law enforcement.
Both versions of the proposed legislation are named after Dalilah Coleman, who sustained injuries in a 2024 traffic accident involving a tractor-trailer in California. The truck driver, identified by the Department of Homeland Security as Partap Singh from India, was allegedly residing in the U.S. illegally and was subsequently detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
