Trump Proposes ‘Delilah Law’ to Restrict Commercial Licences for Illegal Immigrants, Indian Truckers Face Impact
US President Donald Trump has proposed new legislation aimed at barring undocumented immigrants from obtaining commercial driving licences, a move that could significantly affect Indian-origin truck drivers working in the United States. Announced during his State of the Union address, the proposed “Delilah Law” seeks to prevent states from issuing commercial driver’s licences to individuals without legal immigration status.
Trump framed the proposal as part of a broader push to tighten immigration enforcement and improve road safety, arguing that language barriers and documentation gaps could pose risks in the trucking sector.
The proposed law is named after Dalilah Coleman, a child who suffered severe injuries following a multi-vehicle crash in 2024 involving a truck driven by an undocumented immigrant. The incident triggered scrutiny over how commercial licences were issued and whether verification processes were sufficient.
Authorities later found the driver had received a commercial licence despite lacking legal status, prompting policy debate around licensing standards and oversight.
The announcement has sparked mixed responses across industry and community groups. Immigration advocates warn the policy could disproportionately affect migrant workers, while safety advocates argue stricter verification may improve compliance. Within the trucking sector, stakeholders have expressed concern about potential workforce shortages if large numbers of drivers are removed.
Indian-origin drivers, many from Punjab and Haryana, form a substantial segment of the US trucking workforce. Policy changes around licensing, English proficiency checks, and visa restrictions could reshape hiring patterns and operational costs. Experts note that any large-scale reduction in drivers may intensify the long-standing shortage in the American freight industry, affecting supply chains and delivery timelines.
The proposed Delilah Law highlights the intersection of immigration policy, road safety, and labour economics. While the measure aims to strengthen oversight, its broader implications for migrant workers and the trucking industry remain under debate as Congress considers the proposal.