Cornyn, Colleagues Propose Bill Blocking Illegal Immigrants from Commercial Driver’s Licenses

Senators introduced the Dalilah’s Law Act on Thursday. The measure targets illegal aliens who obtain or use Commercial Driver’s Licenses.

Sponsors

Five Republican senators led the effort. They are John Cornyn, Ted Budd, Shelley Moore Capito, Cynthia Lummis, and Tommy Tuberville.

What prompted the legislation

The bill follows a 2024 California crash. An unlicensed immigrant driver, identified as Partap Singh, caused a multi-vehicle pileup.

Five-year-old Dalilah Coleman suffered severe, life-altering injuries in that collision. That incident was cited during President Trump’s State of the Union address.

Core provisions of the Dalilah’s Law Act

• Create criminal penalties for covered aliens who use or present a CDL in interstate commerce.
• Set mandatory minimum sentences for accidents caused by such drivers, scaled by severity.
• Establish a death penalty aggravating factor when a covered alien operating a CDL causes a fatal crash.
• Designate conviction as aggravated felony status, triggering mandatory detention and deportability.
• Bar eligibility for asylum for covered aliens convicted under the law.
• Require CDL applicants to provide written proof of employment eligibility verification.
• Authorize DOT to review state verification records and require states to maintain those records.
• Create criminal liability for officials who refuse to use E-Verify or an equivalent before issuing CDLs.
• Impose civil penalties on businesses that materially assist covered aliens in acquiring CDLs.
• Allow injured parties to bring private civil suits against covered aliens who held CDLs.

Enforcement, reporting, and interstate remedies

The act would require a Justice Department report within 180 days. The report must document accidents caused by covered aliens and states issuing CDLs to them.

States harmed by another state’s failure to use E-Verify may seek court injunctions. The law would allow the U.S. Attorney General to sue states that do not require verification.

Immigration and administrative impact

Conviction under the bill creates significant immigration consequences. Mandatory detention, deportability, and asylum ineligibility would follow.

Senators’ rationale

Senators said the bill aims to strengthen road safety and close perceived loopholes. They argued states must verify eligibility before issuing CDLs.

Sen. Cornyn and colleagues stated the measure holds illegal immigrants and enabling states accountable. They tied the proposal to safety for families on highways.

Filmogaz.com provided reporting based on the senators’ announcement and the bill text. The measure now moves through congressional procedures.