The Dalilah Law
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7758
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Immigration
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-03T08:06:43Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Dalilah Law (H.R. 7758) aims to restrict the issuance and renewal of commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) to only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), or holders of specific temporary work visas. It seeks to enhance safety and compliance by requiring English proficiency and ensuring that exams for these licenses are conducted in English. The law ties state compliance to federal funding, promoting stricter immigration and language standards in the commercial driving sector.
Key Provisions
- Eligibility Restrictions for CDLs:
- States cannot issue or renew CDLs (including non-domiciled ones, which are for non-residents) to individuals who are not U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or nonimmigrants holding valid E-2 (treaty investor/trader), H-2A (temporary agricultural worker), or H-2B (temporary non-agricultural worker) visas.
- Other visa holders, such as those under B (visitor) status or certain travel authorizations (like ESTA for visa waiver program participants), are exempt only if operating under specific conditions.
- Disqualification for Violations:
- Individuals caught operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV, such as large trucks or buses used for commerce) without qualifying immigration status face lifetime disqualification from driving CMVs in the U.S., unless they fall under narrow exceptions like B visa holders or valid travel authorizations.
- Recertification Requirements for Existing License Holders:
- States must recertify all current CDL holders within 180 days of the law's enactment.
- Recertification verifies: (1) qualifying immigration status, (2) English language proficiency (ability to read and speak basic English for safe operation, as defined in federal regulations), and (3) passage of all required knowledge and skills tests in English.
- Licenses must be revoked for those who fail to recertify, lack qualifying status, or do not meet English requirements.
- Enforcement via Federal Funding:
- The U.S. Secretary of Transportation must withhold all federal funding (for transportation projects or activities) from non-compliant states, starting in the fiscal year after deadlines for recertification, revocation, or ongoing issuance failures.
- This includes penalties for issuing licenses without status or English verification, or administering exams in languages other than English.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 31311(a)(12) of Title 49, U.S. Code (part of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act), by adding immigration status as a prerequisite for CDL issuance, previously focused mainly on residency and testing without explicit citizenship checks.
- Adds a new subsection (l) to Section 31310, introducing lifetime disqualification for unauthorized CMV operation based on immigration status—a harsher penalty not previously tied directly to citizenship.
- Introduces mandatory English-only testing and proficiency checks, expanding beyond current rules that allow some flexibility in language for exams.
- Shifts enforcement from voluntary state compliance to mandatory federal funding penalties, altering how the Department of Transportation oversees state licensing programs.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: State departments of motor vehicles (DMVs) will face increased administrative burdens for immigration status verification (likely via systems like SAVE from DHS) and English assessments, potentially straining resources. Non-compliance risks loss of federal highway and transit funds, affecting infrastructure projects.
- On Citizens and Residents: U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents in trucking or related fields gain clearer pathways but may face delays in licensing. Qualifying visa holders (e.g., seasonal farm or temporary workers) can still obtain CDLs, but others (e.g., students, tourists, or undocumented individuals) will be barred, potentially disrupting livelihoods for immigrant drivers.
- On International Relations: Limits opportunities for foreign workers in U.S. commercial driving, which could affect bilateral agreements on visas like H-2 programs. It may deter tourism or short-term business travel involving CMVs but has minimal direct impact on broader diplomatic ties.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State Governments and DMVs: Primary implementers, responsible for recertification and facing funding cuts for failures.
- Commercial Drivers and Trucking Industry: Immigrant drivers without qualifying status (estimated tens of thousands in the sector) risk license revocation and job loss; employers may face driver shortages, raising costs.
- Federal Agencies: U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) gain enforcement roles, with DOT overseeing funding withholding.
- Immigrant Communities: Non-qualifying visa holders or undocumented individuals in transportation jobs are directly impacted, potentially increasing reliance on informal driving networks.
- Labor and Agriculture Sectors: H-2A and H-2B workers (common in farming and seasonal jobs) benefit from inclusion, but broader immigrant labor in logistics may be curtailed.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Strengthens integration of immigration law (from the Immigration and Nationality Act) into transportation regulations, potentially leading to more federal-state disputes over licensing authority. Courts may see challenges on enforcement feasibility or due process for revocations.
- Constitutional Implications: Could raise equal protection concerns under the 14th Amendment if seen as discriminating against non-citizens without sufficient safety justification; however, it aligns with Congress's broad authority over interstate commerce and immigration.
- Political Implications: Reflects a push for stricter immigration enforcement in everyday sectors like trucking, likely appealing to proponents of border security but criticized for overburdening states and excluding legal immigrants. As an introduced bill (referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure), its passage could influence future debates on work visas and driver safety standards.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (8)
Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 2026-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2026-03-03: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- The Dalilah Law — issued 2026-03-03 — PDF (10 pages)