Trump Proposes ‘Dalilah’s Law’ to Bar Undocumented Immigrants from Commercial Driver’s Licenses

U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Congress to pass the “Dalilah Law,” a federal proposal that would prevent states from issuing commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to undocumented immigrants. The proposal, announced during his State of the Union address on February 24, 2026, comes in response to fatal accidents involving truck drivers who obtained licenses despite lacking legal immigration status.

The Genesis of the ‘Dalilah Law’

The proposed legislation is named after Dalilah Coleman, a 5-year-classic girl who suffered severe injuries in a multi-vehicle crash in Adelanto, California, in June 2024. The accident was caused by Pratap Singh, an undocumented immigrant from India driving a semi-truck. Singh was arrested by ICE in August 2025.

According to the White House, Coleman’s injuries include a traumatic brain injury and cerebral palsy, requiring lifelong care, and therapy. Trump highlighted Coleman’s case during his State of the Union address, arguing that undocumented drivers pose a safety risk.

Key Provisions and Arguments

The “Dalilah Law” seeks to override existing state-level practices by establishing a nationwide ban on issuing CDLs to undocumented migrants. Trump has claimed that many undocumented immigrants lack proficiency in English and the ability to read road signs, potentially contributing to accidents.

“Many, if not most, illegal aliens do not speak English and cannot read even the most basic road signs,” Trump stated during his address. He further argued that unrestricted immigration and open borders contribute to increased medical bills, insurance rates, taxes, and crime.

Current State Regulations

Currently, states have varying policies regarding CDL issuance to non-residents. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has suspended the issuance of CDLs for non-residents due to new regulations from the U.S. Department of Transportation. If passed, the “Dalilah Law” would make this ban permanent.

Impact on the Trucking Industry

The trucking industry relies on approximately 3.5 million licensed truckers nationwide. Federal officials have indicated that hundreds of thousands of truckers could be affected by the stricter enforcement and safety campaign associated with the proposed law.

The White House has recently urged states to cease issuing CDLs to unvetted foreigners, with exceptions for Canadian and Mexican truckers who regularly cross borders for deliveries.