Miller's Bill Targets Sanctuary States' Driver's License Policies

Illinois Republican Representative Mary Miller is introducing legislation targeting sanctuary states that allow undocumented immigrants to obtain commercial driver’s licenses. Miller, a vocal critic of Democratic Governor JB Pritzker, argues that these policies create significant risks on the roads.

The proposed bill, known as the SAFE Driving Laws Act, aims to address the 19 sanctuary states that currently permit undocumented immigrants to obtain both standard driver’s licenses and commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). If enacted, the legislation would withhold federal funds from states that continue these practices or fail to share information about criminal aliens with the federal government.

States that do not comply with the law by the fiscal year 2027 would face a substantial penalty. They would have 50% of their funding from the National Highway Performance and Surface Transportation Block Grant programs withheld for the entire fiscal year and any subsequent years of noncompliance. Miller's office estimates that the financial impact on non-compliant states could range from millions to billions of dollars in lost transportation funding.

The bill's provisions extend beyond driver's licenses. It would also penalize states that restrict local or state government entities from sharing immigration enforcement information with the Department of Homeland Security. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that the Secretaries of Transportation and Homeland Security maintain a public database detailing each state's compliance status.

Miller has specifically criticized Illinois, her home state, for its policies. She believes that sanctuary states are endangering American lives by issuing driver's licenses and CDLs to undocumented immigrants. She asserts that her bill will compel these states to comply with federal regulations or face the loss of federal funding.