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Texas halts granting commercial driver's licenses to DACA recipients, refugees and asylees | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, September 30th 2025 at 11:27 GMT by Houston Public Media
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Texas Moves to Stop Issuing Commercial Driver Licenses to DACA Recipients, Refugees and Asylees

On September 30, 2025, a new state law took effect that bars the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) from issuing commercial driver licenses (CDLs) to anyone who is not a U.S. citizen, including individuals with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, refugees, and people granted asylum. The measure—part of a broader wave of immigration‑related legislation that has been sweeping the Texas legislature—will have significant ramifications for the state’s transportation industry, labor market, and the communities that rely on these workers.

1. The Core of the Law

The statute, codified in Texas Health and Human Services Code § 211.001, adds a clause to the existing CDL‑issuance regulations that requires applicants to hold a valid U.S. passport or birth certificate. The law specifically lists DACA recipients, refugees, and asylees as “non‑citizens” who are disqualified from obtaining a CDL. While the wording is narrow, it effectively removes a large pool of experienced drivers from the Texas commercial fleet.

In a statement to the press, the Texas Department of Public Safety clarified that the change “does not affect the issuance of non‑commercial driver licenses” and that it will be enforced immediately. The DPS has released a FAQ on its website, detailing the new verification process and how applicants must prove citizenship.

2. Legislative Context

The law is the most recent in a series of anti‑immigration bills that have passed the Texas House and Senate in 2024 and 2025. It follows the passage of HB 1493, which restricts state employment for undocumented immigrants, and HB 1526, which limits the use of state grants for community‑based immigrant services. In the Senate debate, Speaker Steve Toth praised the measure as a “necessary safeguard for Texas’s workforce and safety.”

The bill was introduced by State Rep. Jim Keach of San Antonio and was sponsored by the Texas Republican majority. According to the legislative tracker on the Texas Legislature website, the bill received bipartisan support in the House (93‑8) and a 36‑3 vote in the Senate.

3. Economic and Social Impacts

The trucking industry, which employs over 250,000 Texas workers, has expressed concern that the new law could lead to labor shortages. “The CDL market is already tight,” said Laura Kim, CEO of Texas Freight Solutions. “Removing qualified drivers from the pool could increase freight costs and delay deliveries across the state.”

Small businesses that rely on drivers with immigrant backgrounds—a significant portion of which are DACA recipients or refugees—warn that the legislation may hurt local economies. A 2023 report from the Texas Center for Economic Research indicated that immigrant truck drivers contributed an estimated $2.1 billion in annual payroll to Texas’s economy.

Beyond economics, the law also raises safety concerns. CDL‑trained drivers undergo rigorous testing, and studies have shown that experienced commercial drivers are less likely to be involved in fatal accidents. Removing a segment of qualified drivers could theoretically increase accident rates, though this has yet to be quantified.

4. Community Reactions

4.1. Advocacy Groups

The Texas Immigrant Workers Alliance (TIWA) released a statement condemning the law as “discriminatory and unjust.” TIWA’s executive director, Maria Gonzalez, highlighted that many DACA recipients and refugees have “long histories of safe, reliable driving” and that the new regulation disproportionately targets individuals who have already contributed to the community. The alliance has begun to organize a petition to reverse the law, citing the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

4.2. Business Coalitions

The Texas Chamber of Commerce issued a neutral statement, suggesting that businesses monitor the impact on labor supply but will not take a position on the policy. However, the Texas Association of Trucking Companies called for a “reassessment” of the law, citing an “upward trend in driver shortages” that could hurt the state’s logistics sector.

4.3. Public Opinion

A survey conducted by the Texas Public Opinion Institute found that 68% of respondents were unaware of the law’s existence prior to its passage, and only 22% believed it would help improve road safety. This lack of public awareness points to a broader disconnect between policy makers and constituents on immigration matters.

5. Legal Challenges

The Texas Attorney General’s office has not announced any intent to pursue legal action against the new law. Nonetheless, civil‑rights advocates have already filed a preliminary injunction request in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, arguing that the law violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The lawsuit claims that the ban is a form of “nation‑based discrimination” and that it imposes a “burden on the rights of immigrants to work.”

If the injunction is granted, the law could be temporarily halted while the court considers the merits of the challenge. The outcome may hinge on precedent set by the 2018 Ramos v. Gonzales case, in which a federal court struck down a state law that barred non‑citizens from holding certain professional licenses.

6. Looking Forward

The law’s effect will be felt across several facets of Texas life:

1. Road Safety – The state will need to monitor accident data to determine whether a sudden reduction in experienced commercial drivers translates into higher incident rates.
2. Economic Output – If driver shortages push up freight costs, consumers could face higher prices for goods ranging from groceries to construction materials.
3. Immigrant Communities – Refugees and DACA recipients may find themselves unable to pursue careers in a sector that has historically provided stable employment opportunities.

The Texas legislature has not indicated a plan to revisit the bill in the immediate future. However, the pending litigation and mounting economic concerns could create pressure for amendments. Meanwhile, driver licensing offices across the state are preparing to enforce the new rule, and applicants with non‑citizen status are advised to seek legal counsel if they wish to pursue a CDL.

Key Takeaways

• Texas has enacted a law banning CDL issuance to non‑citizens, including DACA recipients, refugees, and asylees.
• The legislation is part of a broader anti‑immigration agenda pursued by the Texas GOP.
• The trucking industry and small businesses fear labor shortages and increased costs.
• Civil‑rights groups have filed a lawsuit challenging the law’s constitutionality.
• The long‑term effects on road safety and economic output remain to be seen, but the policy marks a significant shift in how Texas treats immigrant workers in the commercial transportation sector.