US Senators Introduce ‘Dalilah’s Law Act’ to Crack Down on Commercial Licences for Undocumented Immigrants

Washington, March 2026 : A group of Republican lawmakers in the United States has introduced a new bill aimed at preventing undocumented immigrants from obtaining or using commercial driver’s licences (CDLs), proposing stringent penalties for violators as well as for states that fail to enforce verification standards.

The legislation, titled the Dalilah’s Law Act, has been put forward by Senators Shelley Moore Capito, John Cornyn, Ted Budd, Cynthia Lummis, and Tommy Tuberville. The bill seeks to strengthen federal oversight and introduce both criminal and civil consequences tied to the issuance and use of CDLs by undocumented individuals.

Supporters of the bill argue that it is primarily a measure to enhance road safety and uphold the rule of law. Senator Capito said the legislation is intended to protect American families and ensure safety on highways, stressing that commercial drivers operate heavy vehicles and therefore carry significant responsibility. She noted that the bill would close what she described as “dangerous loopholes” and establish consistent national standards for those allowed to drive commercial vehicles.

Senator Cornyn framed the proposal as part of a broader response to immigration and border policy concerns. He argued that undocumented drivers operating large commercial vehicles pose safety risks and said the legislation would hold both drivers and states accountable. He also linked the bill to calls for stricter enforcement following remarks by US President Donald Trump on immigration and public safety.

The Dalilah’s Law Act outlines several stringent provisions. It proposes new criminal penalties for undocumented individuals who use CDLs in interstate commerce, along with mandatory minimum sentences in cases involving accidents. In severe cases, such as fatal crashes, the bill introduces the possibility of enhanced penalties, including classification as an aggravating factor in sentencing.

In addition to criminal measures, the legislation seeks to impose immigration consequences. Undocumented individuals found in violation could be classified as aggravated felons, triggering mandatory detention and deportation under federal law. The bill also requires CDL applicants to provide proof of employment eligibility through systems such as E-Verify or equivalent mechanisms.

The proposed law places significant responsibility on states as well. State authorities would be required to maintain detailed verification records and submit them to the Department of Transportation upon request. The bill also предусматривает penalties for state officials who fail to properly verify immigration status before issuing licences, signalling a stricter federal stance on compliance.

Senator Budd cited a recent accident in California involving a young child as a key motivation behind the legislation, arguing that such incidents highlight the risks posed by unverified drivers operating heavy commercial vehicles. Meanwhile, Senator Lummis emphasised that every American has the right to feel safe on the roads, asserting that issuing licences without proper verification undermines public trust.

The bill comes amid ongoing debates in the US over immigration policy, border security, and federal versus state authority. While its supporters see it as a necessary step to enhance safety and accountability, critics are likely to question its broader implications for immigration enforcement and civil liberties.

Building on President Trump’s State of the Union remarks calling for Congress to pass legislation to hold states who issue CDLs to illegal aliens accountable, the Dalilah’s Law Act would:

• Create a new criminal penalty for covered aliens using or presenting a CDL in interstate commerce;
• Institute mandatory minimums for accidents caused by covered aliens using a CDL depending on the severity of the accident;
• Create a new death penalty aggravating factor when a covered alien using a CDL kills another person in a motor vehicle accident;
• Create new immigration consequences including that a covered alien who is convicted of using a CDL would be an aggravated felon, triggering mandatory detention, deportability, and making the alien ineligible for asylum;
• Require individuals applying for a CDL to provide written documentation certifying successful employment eligibility verification through E-Verify or a state-established verification process and authorize the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to request and review state documentation confirming CDL applicant eligibility verification;
• Require states to maintain and provide verification records to DOT upon request to ensure consistent compliance with federal CDL standards;
• Create a new criminal offense for state officials who do not use, or direct others to not use, E-Verify or an equivalent state program to confirm immigration status before issuing a CDL;
• Create new civil penalties for any business that provides substantial assistance to a covered alien acquiring a CDL;
• Create new individual causes of action for people injured by a covered alien using a CDL;
• Require a report from the U.S. Attorney General within 180 days on accidents caused by covered aliens using CDLs and states issuing CDLs to covered aliens;
• Grant standing to any state harmed by another state’s violation of the new E-Verify requirement to bring suit against the Secretary of Transportation to obtain an injunction requiring the Secretary to request documentation from the issuing State;
• And create a new civil action allowing the U.S. Attorney General to bring suit against a state not requiring use of E-Verify or a state equivalent before issuing a CDL.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)