Trump bats for Dalilah Law: Immigration and Road Safety Debate Intensifies in Washington

During his State of the Union address on February 25, 2026, President Donald Trump called on the Congress to pass the Dalilah Law --- a proposed federal legislation that would prohibit any US state from issuing commercial driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.

Here’s a more detailed insight.

What is the Dalilah Law?

The Dalilah Law is a proposed piece of federal legislation that would bar all US states from granting commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) to illegal immigrants.

It would create a nationwide federal standard that overrides existing state-level policies, some of which currently permit undocumented individuals to obtain driving credentials, including commercial ones used to operate heavy vehicles such as trucks and trailers.

Who is Dalilah Coleman?

Dalilah Coleman is a six-year-old girl after whom the proposed law is named.

According to the White House, she was severely injured in a June 2024 road accident in Southern California involving an 18-wheeler.

She reportedly suffered a traumatic brain injury, was in a coma for three weeks, and has since been diagnosed with cerebral palsy requiring lifelong care.

Who was the driver involved?

The driver involved in the accident was Partap Singh, an individual who reportedly entered the United States through Mexico in October 2022 and was released under policies in place at the time. Singh had reportedly been issued a commercial driver’s license in California.

During his address, Trump did not name the driver or mention his country of origin, stating only that “the driver was an illegal alien let in by Joe

Biden and given a commercial driver's license by open borders politicians in California.”

What exactly would the law do?

The Dalilah Law would introduce a federal mechanism to prevent individual US states from issuing commercial driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.

Since licensing is largely governed at the state level in the US, some states have policies that allow undocumented individuals to access certain categories of driving credentials.

The proposed law would create a federal override specifically targeting commercial driver's licenses, which are required to legally operate heavy vehicles like semi-trucks and trailers.

What was Trump’s reasoning?

Trump framed the legislation as a public safety measure. According to his State of the Union remarks, “Many, if not most, illegal aliens do not speak English and cannot read even the most basic road signs as to direction, speed, danger, or location.”

Federal law (49 CFR § 391.11) already requires CDL holders to read and speak English. The Dalilah Law" would essentially enforce this requirement, tying it to immigration status.

Are there other similar cases?

According to the Department of Homeland Security, at least three other undocumented immigrants from India have reportedly been involved in trucking-related crashes in the United States and are currently facing deportation proceedings.

These cases have been cited alongside Dalilah's as part of the broader justification for the proposed legislation.

What was the political reaction?

According to reports from the proceedings, Trump asked members of Congress to stand if they believed it was the government's duty to prioritise the protection of American citizens.

Republican lawmakers reportedly rose to applaud while a significant number of Democratic members remained seated.

The divide illustrated the partisan tensions that are expected to shape the law's path through Congress.

What is the current status of the Dalilah Law?

As of now, the Dalilah Law has not yet been formally introduced as a bill or voted on in Congress.

The administration has expressed its backing for the legislation and is actively urging lawmakers to move swiftly.

Dalilah Coleman and her father, Marcus Coleman, were present at the Capitol during the announcement and reportedly received a standing ovation from those gathered.

(With inputs from yMedia)