"U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned Sunday that he is about make good on a threat to revoke millions in federal funds for California because he says the state is illegally issuing commercial driver's licenses to noncitizens. In an appearance on Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures," Duffy said Gov. Gavin Newsom has refused to comply with Department of Transportation rules that require the state to stop issuing such licenses and review those already issued."
"Last month the Transportation Department tightened commercial driver's license requirements for noncitizens after three fatal crashes that officials said were caused by immigrant truck drivers. Only three specific classes of visa holders will be eligible for CDLs under the new rules and states must verify an applicant's immigration status in a federal database. The licenses will be valid for up to one year unless the applicant's visa expires sooner."
"A Newsom spokesperson referred a request for comment to the state's transportation agency, which did not immediately respond Sunday. California has defended its practices previously. When Duffy threatened to revoke funds last month, a spokesperson for Newsom dismissed the attack and noted that CDL holders from California have a significantly lower rate of crashes than both the national average and that of Texas, which is the only state with more licensed commercial drivers."
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned he will revoke federal funds from California and could strip the state's authority to issue commercial driver's licenses over alleged illegal licensing of noncitizens. Duffy said he is about to pull $160 million and accused Gov. Gavin Newsom of refusing to comply with Department of Transportation rules requiring cessation and review of such licenses. California referred comment requests to the state transportation agency and defended its practices, noting California CDL holders have a lower crash rate than the national average and Texas. The Transportation Department tightened CDL requirements for noncitizens after three fatal crashes; only three visa classes qualify, states must verify immigration status in a federal database, and licenses will be valid up to one year. Duffy said investigators found problematic California licenses, including ones remaining valid after work permits expired, and gave the state 30 days to comply or risk losing funding. A nationwide commercial driver's license audit began.
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