Senate’s Dalilah’s Law Act would create ‘death penalty aggravating factor’ for fatal crashes involving CDL drivers present in U.S. illegally
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders present in the U.S. illegally would face several stringent new penalties under the Senate’s new Dalilah’s Law Act.
On March 26, 2026, U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) introduced the Dalilah’s Law Act to increase punishment for “illegal aliens who obtain or use CDLs as well as the Democrat-led states that issue CDLs to these criminals.”
Senators say that the Dalilah’s Law Act was written in response President Trump’s State of the Union Address, during which he called for action by Congress to prevent injury crashes caused by unqualified CDL drivers.
The legislation was named for Dalilah Coleman, a child who was injured in a 2024 crash involving Partap Singh, an Indian national who was issued a CDL by California.
According to a news release from Cornyn’s office, the Dalilah’s Law Act would:
- Create a new criminal penalty for covered aliens using or presenting a CDL in interstate commerce
- Institute mandatory minimums for accidents caused by covered aliens using a CDL depending on the severity of the accident
- Create a new death penalty aggravating factor when a covered alien using a CDL kills another person in a motor vehicle accident
- Create new immigration consequences including that a covered alien who is convicted of using a CDL would be an aggravated felon, triggering mandatory detention, deportability, and making the alien ineligible for asylum
- Require individuals applying for a CDL to provide written documentation certifying successful employment eligibility verification through E-Verify or a state-established verification process and authorize the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to request and review state documentation confirming CDL applicant eligibility verification
- Require states to maintain and provide verification records to DOT upon request to ensure consistent compliance with federal CDL standards
- Create a new criminal offense for state officials who do not use, or direct others to not use, E-Verify or an equivalent state program to confirm immigration status before issuing a CDL
- Create new civil penalties for any business that provides substantial assistance to a covered alien acquiring a CDL
- Create new individual causes of action for people injured by a covered alien using a CDL
- Require a report from the U.S. Attorney General within 180 days on accidents caused by covered aliens using CDLs and states issuing CDLs to covered aliens
- Grant standing to any state harmed by another state’s violation of the new E-Verify requirement to bring suit against the Secretary of Transportation to obtain an injunction requiring the Secretary to request documentation from the issuing State
- And create a new civil action allowing the U.S. Attorney General to bring suit against a state not requiring use of E-Verify or a state equivalent before issuing a CDL
“It is reprehensible that innocent Americans like Dalilah Coleman continue to pay the price for Democrats’ open-border policies, which have led to illegal aliens – who cannot speak English or read our road signs – dangerously operating massive commercial vehicles on our roadways,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Our bill would build on President Trump’s State of the Union remarks honoring Dalilah to put an end to this pull factor and hold illegal alien drivers and the sanctuary states that enable them accountable.”
“Far too many innocent Americans have faced life-altering consequences due to the actions of illegal aliens and the negligence of sanctuary states. A five-year-old little girl is now living with significant injuries because an illegal alien recklessly drove an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle after being issued a CDL by the state of California. This cannot happen again. I am proud to join Senator Cornyn in introducing the Dalilah’s Law Act to ensure that no state bypasses necessary driver vetting requirements when an illegal alien attempts to obtain a CDL,” said Sen. Budd.
“The Dalilah’s Law Act is about protecting American families and ensuring safety of everyone on our highways and I applaud Sen. Cornyn’s commitment to this issue,” said Sen. Capito. “Commercial drivers carry an enormous responsibility, and there must be clear, consistent standards for those allowed behind the wheel. Sen. Cornyn’s effort closes dangerous loopholes and reinforces the principle that the rule of law and public safety must always come first.”
“Every American who shares a road with an 80,000-pound commercial truck deserves to know that driver earned that license legally,” said Sen. Lummis. “Wyoming families understand that federal transportation dollars come with responsibilities, and handing CDLs to people who have no legal right to be in this country is a betrayal of the public trust. Proud to partner with Senator Cornyn to keep our roads and Americans safe.”