U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has threatened to revoke millions of dollars in federal funding from California due to concerns over the state's issuance of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to noncitizens, which he claims violates federal regulations.

An audit uncovered widespread issues with license issuance across multiple states, including California, where tens of thousands of licenses were unlawfully issued to noncitizens, some of which remained valid after work permits expired.

California is also under scrutiny for not enforcing English language requirements for truckers, a move Duffy argues compromises safety, though the state disputes these allegations.

This controversy is part of broader concerns about the safety and regulation of commercial drivers, especially noncitizens, following crashes linked to improperly issued licenses.

In response to three fatal crashes involving immigrant truck drivers, the federal government tightened CDL requirements for noncitizens, now requiring verification of immigration status through a federal database and limiting licenses to certain visa holders, with validity up to one year.

Duffy estimates that approximately 60,000 improperly licensed drivers are on the roads, including those operating fuel tankers and school buses, raising significant safety concerns.

California officials defend their licensing practices, pointing out that their CDL holders have a lower crash rate than the national average and Texas, and emphasize the vital role of immigrant drivers in the state's economy.