Deadly semi-truck crashes inspire legislation
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State and federal officials from Indiana are taking a closer look at the trucking industry after several high-profile deadly crashes involving drivers in the United States illegally.
Why it matters: It's the latest move from Indiana lawmakers to align state policies and priorities more closely with those of the Trump administration, whose broader goal is to push undocumented immigrants out of the American workforce and to remove non-proficient English speakers from the road.
Driving the news: The Indiana Senate on Monday added language to House Bill 1200 that would strengthen the process for CDL licensing and enable the state to revoke CDLs from drivers without legal status.
- It would also create new penalties for non-licensed drivers and the companies that employ them.
State of play: The amendment was inspired by several crashes.
- In Hendricks County last week, a semi-truck driver who police say is in the country illegally was detained by ICE after a crash that killed 64-year-old Terry Schultz.
- Witnesses say the semi ran a red light, hitting Schultz' pickup.
What they're saying: "This amendment ensures everyone receiving a license to drive commercial trucks can read and understand our traffic signs and law enforcement safety instructions with proficiency," said Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie), the bill's author.
- Pressel called non-domiciled CDL drivers, who are generally foreign nationals, "the biggest threat to Indiana roads" and said the new penalty and fines will make Indiana "the first state to take action against dangerous and illegal drivers."
At the same time, Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) is calling for an investigation into trucking companies operating in Indiana.
- Banks is asking the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to look into potential "chameleon carriers," trucking companies that reopen under different names after being shut down to avoid penalties, enforcement actions and other scrutiny.
- They often continue using the same trucks, managers, drivers and addresses.
Zoom out: This isn't the first attempt to crack down on commercial trucking in Indiana.
- Last year's Midway Blitz, a joint operation with the Department of Homeland Security and the Indiana State Police, resulted in the arrest of 223 immigrants without legal status on Indiana highways near the Illinois state line — including 146 truck drivers — according to state officials.
What's next: HB 1200 will be voted on Tuesday by the full Senate.