WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new bill introduced in the U.S. Senate would require states to verify a person’s legal status before issuing a driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, or personal identification card. States that fail to comply would lose 10% of their federal highway funding under the proposal.
The legislation, titled the No Licenses for Illegal Drivers or Truckers Act, was introduced April 16, 2026, by U.S. Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming. Co-sponsors include U.S. Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming.
Bill Would Tie Highway Funding to License Verification
Under the proposal, states would be required to verify legal status before issuing a regular driver’s license, a CDL, or a state identification card.
States that do not follow that requirement would face a 10% reduction in federal highway funding. Supporters of the bill said that money should instead go to states that comply with the law.
Supporters Say Measure Targets Safety and Enforcement
Supporters framed the bill as both an immigration enforcement measure and a roadway safety effort.
Cornyn said the legislation is aimed at cutting federal highway funding for states that allow illegal immigrants to obtain state-issued or commercial driver’s licenses, while redirecting those dollars to states that enforce the law.
Lummis said states that ignore federal immigration law should lose highway funding and that those dollars should go to states that follow the law.
Barrasso also pointed to enforcement actions in Wyoming involving commercial drivers. In announcing the bill, his office said local law enforcement in Wyoming had encountered multiple cases involving illegal immigrants operating commercial motor vehicles.
According to the release, since October 1, 2025, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office arrested 40 individuals who were in the country illegally and driving commercial vehicles. Officers in Sweetwater County arrested 14 more, and additional arrests were reported in Crook County involving illegal immigrants holding CDLs. The release said all were later removed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Wyoming Sheriffs Back Proposal
Barrasso’s office also highlighted a three-day enforcement operation in Laramie County called Operation Truck Around Find Out. According to the release, the operation resulted in 177 traffic stops and 32 illegal immigrants being arrested.
Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak said the operation showed the need for federal legislation requiring states to determine a person’s legal status before issuing credentials for an 80,000-pound truck.
Sweetwater County Sheriff John Grossnickle said a commercial license should mean the state verified lawful presence before that driver entered interstate commerce. He said when that does not happen, local law enforcement, lawful truckers, and the traveling public carry the risk on the roadway.
The bill has been introduced in the Senate but has not become law.
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