Senator Capito Co-Sponsors Bill to Mandate E-Verify for Commercial Driver's Licenses

The Dalilah's Law Act would penalize states that issue CDLs to undocumented immigrants.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:53pm

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A photorealistic painting of a semi-truck parked on a quiet urban street, with warm sunlight casting deep shadows across the scene, conceptually representing the political tensions surrounding regulations on commercial driving.As lawmakers debate new restrictions on commercial driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants, the political battle over public safety and business interests intensifies.West Union Today

Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) has announced that she is co-sponsoring Sen. John Cornyn's (R-Texas) The Dalilah's Law Act, which would add new criminal and civil penalties against state agencies that issue commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) to undocumented immigrants. The bill is inspired by a crash involving a semi-truck driver who was in the U.S. illegally.

Why it matters

The legislation is the latest effort by Republican lawmakers to crack down on non-citizens operating commercial vehicles. Supporters argue it is necessary to ensure public safety, while critics contend it could unfairly target small businesses and increase government regulation.

The details

The Dalilah's Law Act would mandate that state agencies use E-Verify to comply with the law and empower the U.S. Attorney General to bring legal action against states for not enforcing the mandate. Private businesses could also face civil penalties for assisting an illegal immigrant in obtaining a CDL.

  • In February 2026, an identical bill titled The Dalilah Act was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and touted by then-Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.
  • During the 2026 West Virginia Legislative Session, a bill proposing criminal penalties for businesses that fail to comply with a proposed E-Verify mandate caused conflict within the Republican majorities in both chambers.

The players

Senator Shelley Moore Capito

A Republican Senator from West Virginia who is co-sponsoring the Dalilah's Law Act.

Senator John Cornyn

A Republican Senator from Texas who introduced the Dalilah's Law Act.

Dalilah Coleman

A five-year-old girl in California who sustained life-altering injuries in a multi-vehicle crash allegedly caused by a semi-truck driver who was in the U.S. illegally, inspiring the legislation.

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What they’re saying

“Commercial drivers carry an enormous responsibility, and there must be clear, consistent standards for those allowed behind the wheel.”

— Senator Shelley Moore Capito

“We're not against any immigration policies. To me, it's about regulations. We need to get the government out of our small businesses and have less regulation, not more.”

— Del. David McCormick, Republican Delegate, Monongalia County

“This bill. I feel like the intent is to entrap businesses. I say that as a business owner myself.”

— Sen. Eric Tarr, Republican Senator, Putnam County

What’s next

The Dalilah's Law Act has been introduced in the Senate and will now go through the legislative process.

The takeaway

The proposed legislation highlights the ongoing debate over immigration policies, the role of government regulation, and the balance between public safety and business interests when it comes to commercial driving standards.