Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is defending his administration’s handling of an illegal immigrant who was arrested by federal authorities while operating a commercial truck in Kansas. Akhror Bozorov, an Uzbek national, was apprehended by ICE and found to be in possession of a valid Pennsylvania commercial driver’s license. The incident has escalated tensions between the governor and the Department of Homeland Security over the vetting process for noncitizens seeking state-issued licenses. Shapiro has stated that Bozorov remained in the federal database used by PennDOT to verify noncitizens’ eligibility for driver’s licenses. In a letter obtained by Fox News Digital, PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll and Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt refuted allegations that illegal immigrants are being allowed to obtain state licenses, emphasizing their adherence to federal protocols.
Shapiro has called for the federal government to improve its oversight, stating that every state relies on the federal database to determine who qualifies for a commercial license. He claimed the database confirmed Bozorov’s eligibility when his license was issued in July. Despite this, DHS has countered that federal work authorization does not confer any legal status and that data limitations stem from prior administrations. The spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security criticized the governor’s stance, arguing that allowing an individual with terrorist ties to operate a commercial vehicle poses a risk to public safety.
The incident has intensified political scrutiny, with bipartisan lawmakers demanding answers from Shapiro. A recent article in Fox News highlighted that lawmakers had warned about a potential crisis involving illegal immigrants and commercial licenses before the bust. The controversy has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the SAVE database and the responsibility of state and federal agencies in ensuring that individuals with criminal ties are not permitted to drive commercial vehicles. As the debate continues, both state and federal officials are under pressure to address concerns about immigration enforcement and the verification process for commercial licenses.
Carroll and Schmidt’s letter to lawmakers underscores the administration’s defense of its process, stating that noncitizens who are lawfully issued licenses are marked with special indicators that prevent them from utilizing motor voter registration processes. Shapiro’s comments on the federal database have drawn criticism from the DHS, which asserts that the agency is not solely responsible for the systemic failures highlighted by the incident. The controversy highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing immigration enforcement with the need for economic activity and transportation infrastructure in the United States.