New York could lose $73 million in federal highway funding after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the state is improperly issuing commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to immigrants, including licenses that remain valid long after holders’ legal work authorization expires. Duffy warned Friday that unless New York fixes the system, federal funds could be withheld.
Duffy said federal investigators found that more than half of the 200 licenses they reviewed in New York were issued incorrectly, often defaulting to an eight-year validity regardless of when the immigrant’s work permit expired. The state could not provide evidence that it had verified immigration status for the 32,000 active non-domiciled commercial licenses it has issued. Investigators also found cases in which licenses were issued even after applicants’ work authorizations had lapsed. “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. Gov. Hochul must immediately revoke these illegally issued licenses,” Duffy said.
New York officials defended their practices, saying the state complies with federal rules and has been verifying drivers’ immigration status. “Commercial Drivers’ Licenses are regulated by the Federal Government, and New York State DMV has, and will continue to, comply with federal rules,” DMV spokesperson Walter McClure said.
Duffy has targeted other states, including California, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota, after similar audits revealed that non-domiciled CDLs were being issued improperly. In response to federal pressure, California revoked 17,000 licenses. Non-domiciled licenses make up about 5% of all commercial licenses in New York, while immigrants account for roughly 20% of the state’s truck drivers. Duffy emphasized that the campaign is intended to ensure safety and qualifications for all drivers of large commercial vehicles, not as a political action.
New York has 30 days to respond to the Transportation Department’s concerns, while the federal government continues auditing non-domiciled licenses nationwide. Courts have temporarily blocked new federal restrictions that would limit which noncitizens can obtain commercial licenses.