The state of Florida is suing California and Washington for “failing to honor the federal safety regulations” and issuing commercial driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who filed the lawsuit this week with the U.S. Supreme Court, told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that the lawsuit aims “to hold [California and Washington] accountable for the carnage that their sanctuary illegal immigration policies have caused to states like Florida.”
“They are knowingly aware of the dangers that their policies cause, they know that by giving people these truckers licenses who don’t speak English they’re putting families on the road in jeopardy,” he added. “Lives are lost. They know about it [and] they need to be held responsible.”
Tonight, we filed a lawsuit against Gavin Newsom and California in the US Supreme Court because their so-called “sanctuary” policies for illegal aliens are harming states like Florida.
California must pay for the carnage of their open border policies and unlawful CDL programs. pic.twitter.com/iEauMlWXkY
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) October 16, 2025
The Trump administration issued stricter rules for foreigners seeking to get commercial driver’s licenses in the U.S. last month after a rash of fatal accidents caused by illegal drivers. The changes came after a federal audit found California was the worst offender in issuing improper licenses.
California is the worst offender when it comes to trucking licenses, according to @FMCSA’s ongoing audit: more than 25% of non-domiciled CDLs were issued ILLEGALLY!
My message to @CAgovernor: You’re putting the safety of your citizens at risk. Fix it NOW.
Here are the receipts… pic.twitter.com/tJaQ4QerAg
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) September 26, 2025
One incident drew headlines in Florida, where a truck driver in the U.S. illegally made an illegal U-turn and caused a crash that killed three. The driver allegedly obtained his commercial license in California.
“California’s and Washington’s unlawful issuance of CDLs to aliens who do not speak English, cannot demonstrate minimum driving competence, or both, ‘creat[es] a condition which makes travel unsafe’ on the public roads of every State—a textbook public nuisance,” the lawsuit argues.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also announced this week the Trump administration is withholding $40 million in federal funding from California for failing to comply with English language standards for commercial drivers.
“I put states on notice this summer: enforce the Trump Administration’s English language requirements or the checks stop coming. California is the only state in the nation that refuses to ensure big rig drivers can read our road signs and communicate with law enforcement. This is a fundamental safety issue that impacts you and your family on America’s road,” Duffy said.
