Dalilah’s Law Act
Sponsored By: Senator Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would bar certain noncitizens from presenting or using a commercial driver's license (CDL) in interstate or foreign commerce and would link CDL issuance to immigration verification. It would also add criminal and civil penalties, expand immigration consequences for CDL-related deaths, and center E-Verify as the verification tool.
Show full summary
- Covered noncitizen drivers would face a new federal offense for using a CDL in interstate commerce, with penalties up to five years in prison and mandatory minimums tied to crash outcomes.
- People injured or killed in crashes could bring private lawsuits for treble damages and attorney's fees against those responsible, creating a new civil remedy for victims.
- States and CDL agencies would need to confirm applicants' immigration status through E-Verify or an equivalent program before issuing or renewing CDLs, and federal and state attorneys general could pursue injunctive relief to enforce compliance.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Treble damages for crash victims
If enacted, any person injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by a covered alien using a commercial driver's license would be able to sue in federal court. Plaintiffs (or estates or survivors) could recover three times their damages plus legal costs and attorney fees. The suit could also name people or businesses who knowingly aided the covered alien in getting the CDL.
Big fines for businesses that help
This bill would allow civil fines of $50,000 for each violation against any business or entity that knowingly provides substantial assistance to a covered alien to break the CDL prohibition or conspires to do so. The penalty would apply per occurrence and would take effect upon enactment. Businesses could face repeated $50,000 fines for multiple violations.
New CDL crimes for certain immigrants
This bill would make it unlawful for certain noncitizens (called "covered aliens") to present or use a commercial driver’s license in interstate or foreign commerce. It would create federal criminal penalties, including fines and up to 5 years in prison, with mandatory minimums when an accident is caused: at least 1 year if an accident is caused, at least 2 years if bodily injury results, and life or death sentencing if the accident causes death. The bill would add use of a CDL that causes death to aggravated felony rules used in some immigration cases. It would also make persons who commit these CDL offenses potentially inadmissible to the United States.
E-Verify checks for CDL licenses
If enacted, this bill would require CDL applicants to show written proof of employment eligibility from an E-Verify employer or a State verification program. States would have to give those written documents to the federal Secretary if asked. The bill would make it a federal crime for a State or local official to intentionally issue a CDL without confirming immigration status, punishable by a fine, up to 1 year in prison, or both. The Attorney General would also get new authority to sue States over verification failures, State attorneys general could seek injunctive relief in certain harms, and the AG would have to send a report to Congress within 180 days with state-by-state counts and a plan to curb violations.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cornyn, John [R-TX]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Shelley Capito
WV • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
WY • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]
AL • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov