Congress: No Commercial Driver’s Licenses for Illegal Immigrants

Written by David E. Smith

While reckless sanctuary-state policies continue to erode the rule of law, several members of Congress are stepping up to restore sanity and protect public safety.

This week, U.S. Representative Andy Barr (R-KY) joined U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) in introducing the Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act of 2025 — legislation designed to stop illegal immigrants from obtaining commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). The measure also holds defiant states accountable when they ignore federal law and recklessly issue CDLs to those here illegally.

The move comes after a tragic incident in which an illegal immigrant driving an 18-wheeler killed three Americans while attempting an illegal U-turn. Sadly, it’s only the latest example of what happens when states like California openly defy federal immigration law.

“By issuing CDLs to illegal immigrants, states like California are undermining federal law and endangering public safety,” said Congressman Barr. “Our bill restores accountability by strengthening President Trump’s authority to hold liberal states in check when they defy federal law and recklessly grant CDLs to illegal immigrants.”

Senator Cotton emphasized that this isn’t just a legal matter—it’s about safety and common sense. “For everyone’s safety, you must be able to read and understand English road signs when operating a commercial vehicle,” Cotton said. “Our bill would require commercial drivers to pass the test given in English.”

Senator Tuberville agreed:

“If you drive a truck in the United States, you should be able to speak English fluently. This protects our law enforcement officers and the general public. This is not only about safety and efficiency – it’s just commonsense. Whether taking their kids to school, driving to work, or going to the grocery store, Americans shouldn’t feel in danger every time they get on the road.”

A Heartbreaking Example

Illinois knows all too well what can happen when licensing laws are ignored or corrupted.

On November 8, 1994, Scott and Janet Willis were traveling on Interstate 94 south of Milwaukee with their six youngest children when their minivan struck a piece of metal debris—a 30-pound metal brace—from a semitrailer rig. The collision ruptured the gas tank, engulfing the vehicle in flames.

Scott and Janet escaped with serious burns, but their children—Joe (11), Sam (9), Hank (7), Elizabeth (3), Peter (6 weeks), and 13-year-old Ben—did not survive. Five died instantly; Ben passed away that night from severe burns over most of his body.

The tragedy drew national attention and later exposed a massive corruption scandal in Illinois’ Secretary of State’s office under then–Secretary George Ryan. It was revealed that the truck driver, Ricardo Guzman, had obtained his commercial driver’s license through bribery — part of a wider “licenses-for-bribes” scheme.

Even more disturbing, Guzman’s poor command of English was cited as a contributing factor. Other truckers reportedly tried to warn him via CB radio and hand signals that a metal part was dangerously loose, but he failed to respond — apparently not understanding their warnings. Six innocent children died because the system failed, allowing someone unqualified to operate a deadly machine on public roads.

Restoring Accountability and Safety

The Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act seeks to prevent such tragedies by reinforcing federal standards that have been ignored for too long. Among its provisions:

All CDL testing — including for non-domiciled applicants — must be conducted only in English.

States that fail to comply could lose their authority to issue certain commercial licenses.

Applicants must hold a standard driver’s license for at least one year before applying for a CDL.

This isn’t just about immigration policy — it’s about protecting American lives. Law and order collapse when states put ideology ahead of safety, when political correctness replaces prudence, and when bureaucrats choose virtue signaling over human life.

Common sense — and compassion for our neighbors — demand that those who drive the largest, heaviest vehicles on our roads be both legally authorized and linguistically equipped to do so. America cannot afford another preventable tragedy like the one that claimed the lives of the Willis children.

Take ACTION: Click HERE to contact U.S. Senators Dick Durbin, Tammy Duckworth, and your local U.S. Representative. Urge them to support the Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act of 2025. Tell them you oppose giving commercial driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants and that you support English-only CDL testing to ensure that every commercial driver on America’s roads can read and respond to safety warnings. Lives depend on it.

A Word to Illinois Lawmakers

Unfortunately, Illinois continues down a dangerous path. Our state already issues standard driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants — and under Governor J.B. Pritzker, the push to normalize lawlessness only accelerates. Instead of prioritizing public safety, state leaders are bending over backward to accommodate those who have broken our laws, all while demonizing those who enforce them.

If Illinois truly wants safer roads and stronger communities, it should take a lesson from its own painful past. The Willis tragedy stands as a permanent reminder of what happens when politics trumps principle. Law, order, and life itself depend on leaders who have the courage to uphold the truth — not bend it for political gain.