Gov. Braun takes action to protect Hoosier highways from illegal immigrants with CDLs

Monday, Indiana Governor Mike Braun highlighted his signing of HEA1200: a bill to take on the dangerous upsurge of illegal aliens with Commercial Drivers' Licenses (CDLs) driving large commercial trucks on Hoosier roads and highways.

Governor Braun was joined by bill author Rep. Jim Pressel, Secretary of Public Safety Anthony Scott, and representatives from Attorney General Rokita’s Office.

“We are revoking all CDLs from illegal aliens and penalizing companies who employ them,” said Governor Braun. “We’re also strengthening our CDL licensing process. Through strong enforcement we will keep our highways safe for Hoosiers."

Recent cases of illegal aliens driving commercial vehicles involved in fatal crashes has brought attention to this issue. Indiana experienced multiple fatal crashes caused by illegal immigrants with CDLs driving massive commercial trucks. 

This is not the first enforcement measure Governor Braun has taken to remove illegal alien commercial truck drivers from Indiana’s roadways. Last fall, Gov. Braun teamed up with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Operation Midway Blitz, a successful 287(g) operation with Indiana State Police that resulted in the arrest of 223 illegal aliens on Indiana highways near the Illinois state line—including 146 truck drivers. 

Additionally, Gov. Braun recently completed an audit of Indiana’s non-domiciled CDLs with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and as a result, the state has already removed hundreds of illegally licensed drivers from the road.

Gov. Braun, AG Rokita, and Rep. Pressel collaborated on first of its kind language that strengthened the process for CDL licensing and enabled the state to remove CDLs from illegal immigrants. In addition, it also created new penalties to crack down on non-licensed drivers and the companies that employ them.