The Transportation Department’s new restrictions that would severely limit which immigrants can get commercial driver’s licenses to drive a semitrailer truck or bus have been put on hold by a federal appeals court. The court in the District of Columbia ruled Thursday that the rules announced by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in September, following a crash in Florida caused by an unauthorized driver that killed three people, cannot be enforced right now. The court emphasized that the federal government did not follow proper procedures in drafting the rules and failed to satisfactorily explain how these changed would improve safety. Data suggests that immigrant drivers account for about 5% of commercial licenses yet only contribute to 0.2% of fatal crashes. The controversy around the regulations comes on the heels of an audit revealing issues with license validity for many noncitizens in California, prompting a state review. Duffy has also highlighted safety concerns raised by other recent fatal crashes involving unauthorized drivers.
Court Halts New Restrictions on Immigrant Truck Driver Licenses
A federal appeals court temporarily blocks the Transportation Department's new rules limiting commercial licenses for immigrants following a deadly crash caused by an unauthorized driver.
A federal appeals court has paused new Transportation Department restrictions on who can obtain commercial driver's licenses, initially put in place after a tragic crash in Florida linked to an unauthorized immigrant driver. The court criticized the government's procedures and noted that licensed immigrants are less involved in fatal accidents than expected. The new rules would have only allowed a small fraction of immigrant drivers to qualify for commercial licenses, raising concerns over their enforceability. The decision comes amidst a larger debate over safety, immigration, and trucking regulations.
