U.S. Senator John Barrasso introduced the No Licenses for Illegal Drivers or Truckers Act on Apr. 16, a bill that would require states to verify legal status before issuing driver’s licenses, commercial driver’s licenses, or personal identification cards.
The legislation aims to increase immigration enforcement and promote road safety by penalizing states that do not comply with a reduction in federal highway funding. Those funds would be redirected to states that follow the law.
“Millions of illegal immigrants flooded into the United States under the Biden administration’s radical open border policies. Since many illegal immigrants do not speak English and cannot read road signs, these drivers make roads less safe for the law-abiding public,” said Senator Barrasso. “While Wyoming already prohibits illegal immigrants from getting driver’s licenses, 19 states and the District of Columbia continue to issue personal and commercial driver’s licenses without verifying legal status. My legislation will ensure states follow the law and prioritize public safety.”
The bill is co-sponsored by Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming. “We must defund woke sanctuary states who continue to put illegal aliens in the driver’s seat and Americans in the back seat,” said Cornyn. “This legislation puts Americans first and keeps our roads safe by not only cutting federal highway funding for any state that allows illegal aliens to obtain a state-issued or commercial driver’s license but also redirecting those dollars to states like Texas that actually enforce the law.” Lummis added, “Democrats have spent years putting illegal immigrants ahead of American citizens, and handing out driver’s licenses to people who broke our laws is another example. This bill puts a stop to that.”
Law enforcement officials in Wyoming reported recent arrests involving undocumented individuals operating commercial vehicles across several counties since October 2025. Sweetwater County Sheriff John Grossnickle said, “A commercial license shouldn’t be a question mark. It should mean the state verified lawful presence before that driver ever entered interstate commerce.” Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak described an operation resulting in multiple arrests: “This operation highlighted the need for federal legislation to mandate states to ‘Find Out’ a person’s legal status before giving them the keys to an 80,000-pound truck.”
Senator Barrasso resides with his three children in Casper according to his official website. He chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s Public Lands, Forests and Mining Subcommittee according to his official website, supports energy affordability policies benefiting ranchers according to his official website, operates offices throughout Wyoming according to his official website, has been recognized as Wyoming Physician of the Year according to his official website, focuses on issues such as energy policy, public lands management, national parks protection, trade matters according to his official website, serves as Senate Republican whip while promoting energy initiatives supporting ranchers according to his official website.
Supporters say this legislation seeks stricter adherence among all U.S. states regarding verification requirements when issuing driving credentials.
