Opinion By: Joe Leurs, 7th District Candidate for Congress
States like California and New Jersey have passed laws allowing people without legal immigration status to obtain commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). This means individuals who cannot legally reside or work in the United States can operate 18-wheelers, passenger buses, and vehicles carrying hazardous materials. These licenses are not typical, and these vehicles are not ordinary. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. If these vehicles are not driven by someone with the right training, skill, and legal responsibility, they can cause serious harm. They are literally “weapons of mass destruction” on our roads! They should never be in the hands of illegal aliens.
We recently saw the tragic outcomes in Florida, where three American citizens lost their lives because a commercial driver ignored basic road signs. Reports say the driver could not read English and did not understand the basic road signs. This goes beyond misunderstanding; it is a matter of life and death.
Federal standards for getting a CDL exist for this reason. Applicants must prove U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency, complete rigorous training, pass a skills test, and be medically fit to drive. When states choose to ignore these requirements for the sake of political inclusivity, they endanger public safety. DEI when it comes to these licenses literally translates to DIE!
People in the country illegally often do not have verifiable identification, driving records, or legal responsibility. If they get into a serious accident, who takes the blame? How can we ensure victims get justice? What if a driver flees the scene and cannot be found? These are not hypothetical situations. These are critical questions that need clear and immediate answers from states, ignoring the economic and life-threatening impact of their policy decisions.
This debate is not about taking away opportunities. It is about protecting the public. Granting CDLs to individuals who are not legally allowed to be in the country is not only reckless; it is a betrayal of the trust that the public places in lawmakers to follow the law and keep our roads safe.
California, Washington, and New Mexico could now lose millions of dollars of federal highway funding if they continue failing to enforce English language requirements for truckers, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced this week. President Trump should make sure that happens, and we should completely support him. I certainly do.
We cannot let political agendas compromise fundamental safety standards. Public safety must be our priority. We need to enforce immigration laws. We must support President Trump’s efforts to uphold and enforce federal CDL requirements. We must protect American lives. NOW!
Congressional candidate Joe Leurs is a retired decorated Marine and a former Detective for the Metro Nashville Police Department, specializing in gangs and narcotics.
