HARRISBURG — The Senate Transportation Committee, chaired by Sen. Judy Ward (R-30), held a public hearing to examine commercial vehicle safety and nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) following recent claims of CDLs and REAL IDs being issued to illegal immigrants.
“I’m deeply concerned by the fact that nondomiciled CDLs and REAL IDs were issued to illegal aliens,” said Ward. “This fact-finding hearing will help us to get to the root cause of this issue and develop policy changes to prevent it from happening in the future. Unlike other states, Pennsylvania has long-standing laws banning driver’s licenses, both regular and commercial, for anyone who is unlawfully present in this commonwealth. If you’re here illegally and falsified documents to receive a Pennsylvania driver’s license, you will be found and prosecuted to the fullest extent under federal and state laws.”
Last month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Akhror Bozorov, 31, an illegal immigrant from Uzbekistan wanted for belonging to a terrorist organization. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) issued him a CDL with a REAL ID indication in July.
The hearing included testimony from driving advocates, along with officials from PennDOT and the Pennsylvania State Police.
“We appreciated the opportunity to participate in today’s constructive conversation about the risks posed by unqualified CDL drivers on our roads,” said Rebecca Oyler, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association. “This hearing allowed us to walk through the real challenges the industry is facing and to discuss achievable ways to close gaps in CDL licensing and education at both the state and federal levels. PMTA is grateful for the seriousness and deliberation the committee is bringing to this issue — not simply reacting to headlines but taking a measured approach to strengthening safety for everyone who travels Pennsylvania’s highways.”
Video of today’s hearing can be found here.
Ward contact: Nathan Akers
717-787-2421