How Did An Illegal Alien, Wanted On Terrorism, Get A CDL License

During Thanksgiving week, approximately 73 million people are expected to travel, sharing the roads with a concerning number of illegal aliens operating commercial vehicles. Recent arrests of illegal aliens driving trucks, including those holding non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL), have raised alarms about safety and compliance with federal regulations. California has acknowledged issuing 17,000 non-domiciled CDLs to foreign drivers, some of whom may lack basic driving skills or familiarity with U.S. road signs. A nationwide audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has identified several states, including Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington, as having licensing practices inconsistent with federal standards.

One notable case involves Akhror Bozorov, an illegal alien from Uzbekistan, who was arrested by ICE on November 9 while driving a commercial truck in Kansas. Bozorov is wanted in Uzbekistan for his alleged involvement with a terrorist organization, including distributing propaganda and recruiting for jihad. He entered the U.S. illegally in February 2023 and was subsequently released by U.S. Border Patrol, a decision attributed to the current administration's immigration policies.

Bozorov was issued a non-domiciled CDL in Pennsylvania on July 7, 2025, despite being in the country illegally. This raises questions about the verification processes used by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). The GOP in Pennsylvania has called for an investigation into how Bozorov obtained his license. PennDOT claims to follow strict procedures for verifying the legal status of non-citizen applicants, including checks against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE database. However, the issuance of approximately 12,000 non-domiciled CDLs in 2025 has drawn scrutiny, especially after the state paused these licenses in September due to new FMCSA regulations.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has expressed concern over the safety implications of issuing CDLs to individuals who may not meet legal residency requirements. He announced a plan to restrict eligibility for non-domiciled commercial learner’s permits and CDLs, citing at least five fatal crashes involving non-domiciled CDL holders since January. However, this plan is currently facing legal challenges.

The issue of illegal aliens driving commercial vehicles is not isolated. In October, Jashanpreet Singh, an illegal immigrant from India, was charged with vehicular manslaughter after a crash in California that resulted in three fatalities. Similarly, Borko Stankovic, an illegal alien from Serbia, was arrested for reckless homicide after causing a fatal accident in Indiana. A recent traffic enforcement operation in Oklahoma led to the arrest of 120 illegal aliens, including 91 operating trucks without valid CDLs.

These incidents highlight the potential dangers posed by unregulated drivers on U.S. highways. Questions remain about the ability of some CDL holders to understand road signs and the implications of their legal status in relation to voter registration processes. The situation raises concerns about the safety of all drivers on the road, particularly as the holiday travel season approaches.

The Biden administration's border policies and the apparent flaws in CDL licensing procedures have led to fears that dangerous individuals, including those with terrorist ties, could operate heavy vehicles on American roads. As families prepare to travel for Thanksgiving, the intersection of immigration policy and transportation safety continues to be a pressing issue.