U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has criticized New York’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for issuing commercial driver’s licenses to immigrants that may be valid long after their work permits have expired. He argues that more than half of the 200 licenses audited were improperly issued, prompting him to threaten withholding $73 million in highway funds unless the state promptly addresses these violations.
According to Duffy, federal investigators found alarming discrepancies, with many New York licenses set to remain valid for eight years regardless of when an immigrant's actual authorization expires. He stated, “When more than half of the licenses reviewed were issued illegally, it isn’t just a mistake — it is a dereliction of duty by state leadership.”
Although Duffy has characterized this initiative as non-political, his criticism has primarily targeted states governed by Democrats. Warren McClure, a spokesperson for New York's DMV, contended that the state adheres strictly to federal licensing regulations and is committed to verifying immigration statuses properly.
The situation escalated after a truck driver without proper authorization caused a tragic crash in Florida that claimed three lives. Following this, the Transportation Department decided to conduct nationwide audits of non-domiciled licenses, bringing scrutiny to several states including New York, California, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota.
With New York given a 30-day window to respond to these allegations, the DMV is under pressure to prove compliance. Duffy’s stance highlights the critical balance between ensuring public safety on the roads while navigating complex immigration issues within the transportation sector.
