In brief
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has raised concerns over New York's licensing system for immigrant drivers, asserting that many licenses remain valid beyond their legal authorization. Duffy announced a potential withholding of $73 million in highway funds if New York does not comply with federal standards. State officials insist they are adhering to regulations and verifying immigration statuses. This issue arose after a tragic incident involving an unauthorized driver led to multiple fatalities, reigniting a nationwide discussion on the integrity of commercial driver licensing for immigrants.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has recently targeted New York’s immigrant driver's license issuance, claiming many licenses remain valid long after immigrants’ legal authorization has expired. Duffy articulated these concerns during a press conference, threatening to withhold over $73 million in federal highway funds if changes are not made.
State officials, defending their practices, argue they comply with federal regulations and properly verify immigration statuses. This controversy resurfaces concerns following an incident in Florida involving an unauthorized driver who caused a fatal accident.
According to Duffy, over half of the 200 licenses he reviewed were issued improperly, raising questions about the state’s responsibility in handling licenses for non-domiciled immigrants. Critics, including New York DMV spokesperson Walter McClure, have accused Duffy of misrepresentation and trying to distract from his administration's failures.
The issue has attracted attention nationwide, especially as more than 20% of truck drivers in the U.S. are immigrants, and non-domiciled licenses reflect a smaller fraction of all commercial licenses. The Transportation Department’s audits have previously led to threats against other states, including California and Minnesota, eliciting significant responses from state governments to ensure compliance.
