No CDLs for Illegals Act
Summary
The "No CDLs for Illegals Act" aims to amend titles 23 and 49 of the United States Code to restrict the issuance of commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) to unauthorized individuals. It mandates that applicants provide valid documentation proving citizenship, lawful permanent resident status, or valid work authorization and domicile in the state of issuance. The bill also requires states to use the SAVE system to verify the lawful presence of non-citizen applicants.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would prevent individuals without legal authorization from obtaining commercial driver's licenses. States that fail to comply with these requirements could face suspension of federal transportation funds. Trucking companies that knowingly employ drivers without valid CDLs would be subject to fines.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced security by ensuring only authorized individuals operate commercial vehicles.
- Potential reduction in strain on social services by limiting access to employment for unauthorized individuals.
- Increased compliance with existing immigration laws.
- Could lead to more job opportunities for legal residents and citizens in the transportation sector.
- May improve data integrity and verification processes for CDL issuance.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential labor shortages in the trucking industry, leading to increased transportation costs.
- Possible economic impact on industries reliant on trucking and transportation.
- Increased administrative burden for states to comply with verification requirements.
- Risk of discrimination and legal challenges based on immigration status.
- Could negatively impact individuals who are currently employed as commercial drivers but lack the required documentation.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is complex. While the federal government has broad authority over immigration and interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8), the bill's potential impact on equal protection and due process rights (Amendments V and XIV) could raise concerns. The Tenth Amendment, reserving powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, could also be invoked regarding state control over licensing.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).