MONTGOMERY, Ala. — On Wednesday Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey voiced her support for a federal crackdown on fraud and crime in the commercial trucking industry, highlighting similar enforcement efforts taking place in Alabama.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Justice announced a coordinated effort on Monday to target fraudulent commercial driver training and testing practices, illegal trucking operations, and other related crimes.
The administration also created the Joint Task Force Crossroads of America, a multistate effort focused on fraud regarding commercial-driver licensing fraud and illegal trucking schemes.
Alabama has pursued similar enforcement through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Motor Carrier Safety Unit and a strategic partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Since beginning on Oct. 27, 2025, ALEA said its Motor Carrier Safety Unit has helped ICE in the detention of 561 people for immigration violations encountered during its commercial vehicle enforcement efforts.
According to the governor’s office, ALEA reported issuing 1,022 English-language proficiency violations to commercial drivers since Jan. 1, 2025.
“Here in Alabama, we have already made it clear that those who are in our country illegally, cannot speak English or are otherwise unqualified have no business operating an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle,” Ivey said.
In March, Ivey signed the Highway Safety and Fairness Act, a bill requiring foreign holders of commercial driver’s licenses working in Alabama to have a valid U.S. work authorization and CDL holders to demonstrate proficiency in English. The law also makes presenting a fake foreign CDL a criminal offense. The law takes effect Oct. 1.
ALEA said Alabama recorded 106 fatalities involving commercial motor vehicles in 2025, lowest annual total since 2021. The agency said CMV-related fatalities are down 24% compared to last year thus far.
CEO and president of the Alabama Trucking Association President, Mark Colson, said the state’s work helps protect trucking companies and drivers who follow licensing and safety requirements while targeting operators who do not.
Alabama does not issue non-domiciled CDLs and limits commercial driver’s licenses to lawful permanent residents, according to the governor’s office.
