Comment from Anonymous

Hello. I am a former CDL driver who is a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program. I will cut to the chase. Many months ago, Secretary Sean Duffy has proposed an IFR that would effectively prohibit certain aliens from obtaining a non-domiciled CDL due to reasons of safety and the lack of English proficiency. This has largely affected DACA recipients who have earned their CDLs through legitimate means like any other US Citizen driver. What the secretary of transportation, the DOT, and the FMCSA fail to grasp is that DACA recipients, although not American on paper, are largely and culturally American. We have assimilated to American life, culture, and mannerisms. Their justification for excluding DACA recipients from possessing a CDL is that using an EAD, they cannot properly vet us. Well, there is an easy and common sense solution. First and foremost - ALL DACA recipients only have driving records within the US. As far as I can tell, it's impossible to have a driving record even from another country as a very young child. Secondly, if Secretary Duffy is concerned about the validity of EADs and the DMV's incompetence, that is on the DMV and they must be held accountable. That doesn't mean punish the drivers who follow the rules, are safe and trained professional drivers, and are vetted. If vetting is a problem for non domiciled CDL holders, then mandate that all DACA recipients who wish to obtain such a license provide their EAD AND their I-821D approval notice. Although it is understandable that measures must be taken to ensure safety on American highways for American families and that only safe and vetted drivers should be behind the wheel of commercial vehicles, it is unfair to punish those who have not done any wrong and have been properly vetted. DACA recipients are NOT the same as TPS or the recent arrivals of the migrants from the previous administration. We are American in every sense of the word except on paper, but we are damn proud, patriotic, hard working Americans who will die for this country if called upon. Mr. Secretary, have some nuance and please reconsider. DACA recipients are some of the most vetted people you can have behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle. Yes, punish those who break the law and pose a risk to public safety, but please let those who want to work and contribute to prosper.