SCOTUS Blocks Florida's Challenge to Immigrant CDL Licensing in CA, WA

Key Details The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Florida's attempt to sue California and Washington over issuing commercial driver licenses to undocumented immigrants. The justices declined to hear the case as an original action between states, a rare legal procedure. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented, arguing the court should have accepted the dispute. What Sparked the Lawsuit Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed suit in October, citing a deadly August 2025 crash on Florida's Turnpike involving truck driver Harjinder Singh from India. Singh held a valid CDL from California and previously worked under Washington licensure. The crash killed three people and sparked questions about driver qualifications and safety standards. Florida's Arguments The state claimed California and Washington violated federal safety and immigration laws by licensing undocumented immigrants without proper training or English proficiency. Florida sought an injunction blocking both states from issuing commercial learner permits and CDLs to non-citizens. The lawsuit alleged these states "ignored standards" and authorized drivers unable to read road signs. Wider Political Battle This dispute reflects broader tension between Republican and Democratic-led states over immigration enforcement. The Transportation Secretary warned California, Washington and New Mexico they could lose federal funding over English-language requirement violations. California faced roughly $40 million in withheld federal highway funds tied to this issue.