Illegal Aliens With Commercial Driver’s Licenses Raise Safety and Regulatory Concerns Nationwide

What's happening

As the Thanksgiving holiday travel season approaches, millions of Americans will take to the roads, sharing highways with an increasing number of commercial vehicle operators who are undocumented immigrants. Recent law enforcement actions have brought attention to illegal aliens driving trucks, some of whom hold non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) issued by various states. These developments have sparked debates over the safety of such drivers and the adequacy of state and federal oversight in the licensing process. The issue has gained urgency amid reports of fatal crashes involving non-domiciled CDL holders and concerns about compliance with federal regulations designed to ensure road safety.

The background to this situation involves a complex intersection of immigration policy, state licensing procedures, and federal transportation regulations. States like California have issued thousands of non-domiciled CDLs to foreign nationals, many of whom may not meet the typical residency or driving experience requirements. A nationwide audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has found that states including Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington have licensing practices that do not fully align with federal standards. These discrepancies have raised questions about the verification processes used to confirm applicants’ legal status and driving competency.

One high-profile case that has intensified scrutiny involves Akhror Bozorov, an undocumented immigrant from Uzbekistan who was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while operating a commercial truck in Kansas. Bozorov is wanted by authorities in Uzbekistan for alleged involvement with a terrorist organization, including recruitment and propaganda activities. Despite his illegal entry into the United States in early 2023, Bozorov was issued a non-domiciled CDL by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) in mid-2025. This case has prompted calls from Pennsylvania Republican lawmakers for a thorough investigation into how such a license was granted to someone without legal residency or proper vetting.

PennDOT maintains that it follows strict verification protocols, including checks against the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database, to confirm the legal status of non-citizen applicants. However, the issuance of approximately 12,000 non-domiciled CDLs in 2025 alone, coupled with a pause on new licenses in September due to FMCSA’s updated regulations, has fueled skepticism about the effectiveness of these measures. The federal government, led by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, has expressed concern about the safety risks posed by licensing individuals who may not fully understand U.S. road signs or traffic laws, particularly when some have been involved in fatal accidents.

What's at stake

The problem extends beyond Pennsylvania and California. In Oklahoma, a recent traffic enforcement operation resulted in the arrest of 120 illegal aliens, including 91 who were operating commercial trucks without valid CDLs. Other incidents, such as fatal crashes involving undocumented drivers in California and Indiana, have underscored the potential dangers on the nation’s highways. These cases highlight the challenges law enforcement and regulatory agencies face in balancing immigration enforcement with transportation safety. They also raise questions about the broader implications for public safety and the integrity of licensing systems.

The Biden administration’s border policies and the current immigration enforcement landscape have contributed to the complexity of the issue. Critics argue that lax immigration controls and state licensing procedures have allowed individuals with questionable backgrounds or insufficient driving skills to obtain commercial licenses. Supporters of non-domiciled CDLs contend that these licenses provide essential opportunities for immigrants to work legally and safely in the trucking industry, which faces labor shortages. Nonetheless, the intersection of immigration status, licensing, and public safety remains a contentious and unresolved policy challenge.

Federal efforts to address these concerns include plans announced by Secretary Duffy to tighten eligibility requirements for non-domiciled commercial learner’s permits and CDLs. These proposed restrictions aim to reduce the number of unqualified or ineligible drivers on the road, especially in light of at least five fatal crashes linked to non-domiciled CDL holders since the beginning of the year. However, these regulatory changes have encountered legal challenges that could delay or complicate their implementation. Meanwhile, states continue to grapple with how to reconcile federal standards with local policies and the realities of immigrant populations seeking employment.

Looking ahead, the situation demands close attention from policymakers, law enforcement, and the public. States may need to enhance their verification systems and collaborate more closely with federal agencies to ensure that commercial drivers meet all safety and legal requirements. The federal government’s response, including how it navigates ongoing legal challenges to new regulations, will be critical in shaping the future landscape of CDL issuance. As holiday travel peaks and the trucking industry remains vital to the economy, the balance between inclusivity and safety will remain a key issue to watch.

Why it matters

The presence of illegal aliens with commercial licenses raises significant safety concerns on U.S. roads. Non-domiciled CDLs issued without strict verification can lead to unqualified drivers operating heavy vehicles. Fatal crashes involving non-domiciled CDL holders highlight the potential human cost of lax licensing standards.

Legal challenges to federal restrictions on non-domiciled CDL eligibility could delay safety improvements. The issue underscores tensions between immigration policy, labor needs, and public safety regulations.

Key facts & context

Approximately 73 million people are expected to travel during Thanksgiving week, sharing roads with some illegal aliens operating commercial vehicles. California has issued 17,000 non-domiciled CDLs to foreign drivers, some lacking familiarity with U.S. road signs. A nationwide FMCSA audit found several states with CDL licensing practices inconsistent with federal standards.

Akhror Bozorov, an illegal alien from Uzbekistan wanted for terrorism, was arrested driving a commercial truck in Kansas. Bozorov entered the U.S. illegally in February 2023 and was issued a non-domiciled CDL in Pennsylvania in July 2025. PennDOT claims to verify applicants’ legal status using the Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE database.

In 2025, Pennsylvania issued about 12,000 non-domiciled CDLs but paused new licenses in September due to FMCSA regulations. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced plans to restrict eligibility for non-domiciled commercial learner’s permits and CDLs. At least five fatal crashes since January involved non-domiciled CDL holders, raising safety alarms.

A recent Oklahoma enforcement operation arrested 120 illegal aliens, including 91 driving trucks without valid CDLs. Legal challenges are currently impeding the implementation of new federal restrictions on non-domiciled CDL issuance.

Timeline & key developments

2025-11-19: How Did An Illegal Alien, Wanted On Terrorism, Get A CDL License. Additional reporting on this topic is available in our broader archive and will continue to shape this timeline as new developments emerge.

Primary sources

• transportation.gov document
• dhs.gov document
• pa.gov document
• pa.gov document
• federalregister.gov document
• transportation.gov document

Further reading & references

• (Additional background links will appear here as we cover this topic.)