Houchin, Fong, and Obernolte Introduce Dalilah Law to Remove Illegal Truck Drivers from U.S. Roads
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Erin Houchin (IN-09), alongside Representatives Vince Fong (CA-20) and Jay Obernolte (CA-23), recently introduced H.R. 7793, the Dalilah Law, legislation that would prevent illegal aliens from obtaining commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and operating commercial trucks on American roadways.
The legislation follows President Donald Trump’s call during the State of the Union for Congress to pass the Dalilah Law. Companion legislation was introduced by U.S. Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.).
The bill is inspired by Dalilah Coleman, a first grader who was severely injured in a six-car pileup caused by an illegal alien driving a semi-truck. The crash left Dalilah with life-altering injuries and required months of hospitalization and treatment.
“Hoosiers are dying at the hands of illegal aliens, and Washington cannot ignore it any longer,” said Rep. Houchin. “Families should never fear who is behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound truck on our highways. The Dalilah Law ensures commercial driver’s licenses are limited to individuals who are lawfully present in the United States and able to meet the safety standards required to operate these massive vehicles.”
“I’m grateful Rep. Houchin is leading the fight in the House on our legislation to get illegal truck drivers off our roads,” said Senator Banks. “Illegal aliens have killed too many Hoosiers on our highways and we must act. President Trump called on Congress to pass the Dalilah Law in his State of the Union. It’s time to get it done.”
“Dalilah’s story is a heartbreaking reminder that border security and public safety are not abstract issues; they impact real families right here in our community,” said Rep. Fong. “What’s worse is that this tragedy could have been prevented if California did not grant commercial driver’s licenses to those in our country illegally. Politics should never be put ahead of public safety. Our laws must meet the safety standards required to operate big rigs on our roadways. We owe it to families like the Colemans to pursue commonsense reforms like the Dalilah Law that uphold the rule of law and protect Americans who travel our roads.”
“Dalilah’s story is a heartbreaking reminder that public safety must always come first,” saidRep. Obernolte. “This legislation ensures that commercial driver’s licenses are issued only to United States citizens, lawful permanent residents, and those lawfully authorized to work here. I am proud to support this bill to strengthen highway safety, restore accountability, and honor Dalilah and her family by working to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.”
The legislation would require states to limit commercial driver’s licenses to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and certain work visa holders as a condition of receiving federal Department of Transportation funding. It would also require states to revoke CDLs issued to illegal aliens and require CDL knowledge and skills tests to be administered in English.
Recent crashes involving illegal alien truck drivers in Indiana have raised concerns about highway safety and the need for stronger safeguards to ensure only legally authorized drivers are operating commercial vehicles on America’s roads.
Read the full bill text here.