North Carolina Faces U.S. Department of Transportation Scrutiny Over CDL Issuance to Immigrants
North Carolina is facing scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Transportation for issuing commercial driver's licenses to immigrants without proper documentation. The Trump administration has threatened to withhold nearly $50 million in federal funds for transportation projects unless changes are made to address this issue. The state has been accused of allowing legal immigrants on temporary work visas to obtain CDLs, but failing to ensure that their licenses remain valid after their work permits expire.
Governor Josh Stein and the North Carolina Department of Transportation have not yet responded to the allegations or the threat to withhold federal funds. The U.S. DOT's investigation revealed that 19 legal immigrants in North Carolina received CDLs that expired after their work permits ended, which is considered a violation. Additionally, 10 individuals were issued CDLs without proper verification of their immigration status.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized the importance of following regulations to ensure road safety. He called on state officials to remove these drivers from the roads and address the flaws in the licensing system. Despite the accusations, there is no evidence that the drivers in question have been involved in any dangerous driving incidents or accidents.
The Trump administration's actions are part of a nationwide effort to review licensing systems in all states. North Carolina is urged to rectify the issues identified by the U.S. DOT to avoid the potential loss of federal funding. It is crucial for the state to uphold proper procedures for issuing CDLs to maintain road safety and compliance with federal regulations.