Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has found himself embroiled in a heated dispute with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following the arrest of an Uzbek illegal immigrant, Akhror Bozorov, who was detained by federal authorities while operating a commercial vehicle with a Pennsylvania CDL. Bozorov, who is wanted in Uzbekistan for alleged ties to terrorist groups, was apprehended by ICE while driving a big rig in Kansas and holding a Pennsylvania driver’s license with a Somerton, Philadelphia address. The incident has intensified scrutiny over the vetting process for commercial licenses, with Shapiro accusing DHS of poor oversight.
Officials from Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation (PennDOT) maintained that the license was valid, as Bozorov’s application was confirmed through the federal SAVE database. However, DHS has countered that federal work authorization does not equate to legal presence in the U.S., raising concerns about the adequacy of current verification systems. A scathing letter from PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll, a Democrat, and Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt, a Republican, addressed the matter, stating that noncitizens applying for driver’s licenses must provide proof of legal status via the SAVE database.
The letter emphasized that the SAVE database, managed by DHS, was used to confirm Bozorov’s legal presence at the time his CDL was issued in July. Carroll and Schmidt also noted that noncitizens with legally issued licenses are marked with special indicators that prevent them from using motor voter registration processes. Shapiro, however, has argued that DHS is not effectively managing its responsibilities, as every state in the U.S. relies on this database for CDL approvals. He criticized federal authorities for allowing Bozorov to remain on the roads, potentially transporting hazardous materials, despite being flagged as a wanted individual.
DHS officials have pushed back, stating that work authorization does not confer legal status and that data limitations stem from prior administrations. They pointed out that even though Bozorov was granted work authorization under the Biden administration, this does not imply he was legally allowed to operate as a commercial driver. The dispute has sparked a broader debate about the reliability of federal databases in verifying the legal status of noncitizens, with critics arguing that the current process creates vulnerabilities in national security and immigration enforcement.
Shapiro’s administration has faced mounting pressure to clarify the circumstances under which Bozorov was permitted to hold a CDL, as well as the role of state and federal collaboration in vetting processes. The incident has become a focal point in discussions about the intersection of immigration policy, state authority, and national security. While officials from PennDOT and the Commonwealth have affirmed their adherence to federal protocols, the disagreement highlights the complexities of balancing immigration enforcement with the practicalities of state-level license issuance and oversight.