A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from reviewing state databases of commercial truck drivers as the agency seeks to identify and remove illegal migrants from the trucking industry, according to court documents and Freight Waves.
U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga issued an administrative stay preventing DHS from accessing the records of 17 million commercial truck drivers held by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA). The order also directs DHS to return any records it has already obtained and forbids the agency from inspecting them.
Lawsuit by 21 Democrat-Controlled States
The judge’s ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by 21 Democrat-controlled states, which argue that the federal government has no legal right to the bulk data and would need individual subpoenas for each record. The states contend that the DHS request oversteps federal authority and threatens driver privacy.
DHS, however, maintains that the records are essential for ensuring safety on America’s roads. The agency says it wants to use the data to cancel commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) that were improperly granted to illegal migrants by certain states, often referred to as ‘blue states,’ and remove these drivers from the nation’s highways.
Judge’s Order and Administration Response
Judge Trenga, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, did not rule on the merits of the case but issued the administrative stay to maintain the status quo while the legal challenge proceeds. The stay prevents the administration from obtaining the records in the meantime.
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy responded to the ruling on social media, vowing not to compromise on road safety. In a post on X, Duffy wrote: ‘We won’t compromise on road safety. Liberal states are suing @USDOT to stop us from making sure our roads are safe. They are prioritizing illegal immigrant truckers over American citizens.’ He added, ‘We aren’t backing down.’
Broader Immigration Enforcement Effort
The move is part of a broader administration effort to crack down on illegal immigration and its perceived impacts on American industries. The trucking sector has become a focal point, with federal officials arguing that illegal migrants holding CDLs pose a safety risk.
The lawsuit and the judge’s stay highlight the ongoing legal battles between the federal government and state authorities over immigration enforcement and data privacy. The case is likely to proceed with further arguments on whether DHS can access the records without individual subpoenas.
As the legal fight continues, the future of the DHS review remains uncertain, and the 17 million truck drivers affected by the data request will have to wait for a final resolution.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2026/08/17/judge-blocks-homeland-security-review-of-migrant-trucker-licenses/