Governor Kay Ivey endorsed the Trump administration’s new federal crackdown on fraud and criminal activity in the commercial trucking industry, highlighting Alabama’s role as a leader in the effort. The state has already taken steps to remove unqualified drivers from its roads through stricter licensing standards, partnerships with federal immigration authorities, and targeted enforcement.
The federal initiative, announced Monday by the U.S. Departments of Transportation, Homeland Security, and Justice, establishes the Joint Task Force Crossroads of America to target fraudulent driver training, illegal operators, and criminal activity nationwide. Alabama’s Motor Carrier Safety Unit (MCSU) has assisted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in detaining 561 individuals for immigration violations during commercial vehicle enforcement since October 27, 2025. The state has also issued 1,022 English-language proficiency violations to commercial drivers in 2025 alone.
New state laws signed by Ivey in March will further tighten oversight. The Highway Safety and Fairness Act, effective October 1, 2026, requires foreign CDL holders to hold valid U.S. work authorization, mandates English proficiency for all CDL holders, and criminalizes the use of fraudulent foreign CDLs. Alabama’s enforcement has contributed to a 24 percent reduction in CMV-involved fatalities so far in 2026 compared to the same period last year.
