The proposal draws from a 2024 California crash that severely injured then-5-year-old Dalilah Coleman, who was struck by an 18-wheeler driven by an illegal alien. Cornyn, seeking to defend his Senate seat after 24 years, said the legislation aims to address what he described as lax policies in states like California.
“I am glad to announce that I’ll be introducing Dalilah’s Law, mentioned in@POTUS’ #SOTU address last night, to help put an end to woke states like California lawlessly giving illegal aliens commercial driver’s licenses that allow them to endanger Americans,” Cornyn posted Wednesday on X.
Trump spotlighted the incident during his address on Tuesday, inviting Coleman and her father, Marcus Coleman, as guests, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
“Dalilah Coleman was only 5 years old in June 2024 when an 18-wheel tractor-trailer plowed into her stopped car traveling at 60 miles an hour or more,” Trump said. “The driver was an illegal alien let in by Joe Biden and given a commercial driver’s license by open borders politicians in California.”
The President added that doctors initially said the girl would never walk, talk, or eat again, but she has since entered first grade and is learning to walk.
“Many, if not most, illegal aliens do not speak English and cannot read even the most basic road signs as to direction, speed, danger, or location,” Trump said. “That’s why tonight I’m calling on Congress to pass what we will call the Dalilah Law, barring any state from granting commercial driver’s licenses to illegal aliens.”
Coleman suffered a broken femur, skull fractures, and head trauma, spending three months in a coma before being diagnosed with diplegic cerebral palsy and global developmental delay requiring lifelong therapy. Her father was also hospitalized in the crash.
The driver, 20-year-old Indian national Partap Singh, crossed the southern border in October 2022 and obtained a California-issued commercial driver’s license. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested him in Fresno in August 2025, and he was deported to India the following month.
In a Bakersfield television interview last week, Marcus Coleman said his family was told four times that his daughter would not survive. He supports requiring completed background checks and legal citizenship for commercial licenses.
“When a vehicle accident happens,” he said, per KGET, “the truck doesn’t care if you’re a Republican or you’re a Democrat, or you’re 18 years old or 9 years old. It doesn’t matter what side of the field you’re playing on. It’s going to happen, has happened, and is continuing to happen.”
Supporters include Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.
In an X post, DHS stated that many illegal aliens “do NOT speak English and cannot read basic road signs — and they have NO business being on our nation’s roads.”
PASS THE DALILAH LAW.
Dalilah Coleman was only 5 when she suffered life changing injuries caused by an illegal alien driving an 18-wheeler.
What happened to Dalilah is a tragedy that could have been PREVENTED if California did not grant commercial driver’s licenses to illegal… pic.twitter.com/6LRwx1T2nS
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) February 25, 2026
“Tonight, the president highlighted the tragic consequences of a preventable truck crash caused by an unqualified truck driver,” association president Todd Spencer said in an email. “For professional truckers, safety is not political, it is our daily responsibility.”
Spencer added that his group backs efforts by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Congress to bolster licensing and training standards.
Trump noted his administration’s focus on the issue, led by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator Derek Barrs, saying it is “not playing games.”
The announcement follows Texas enforcement actions, including a 2025 Department of Public Safety operation on Interstate 40 in the Panhandle, where 105 commercial trucks were inspected. Authorities said 31 drivers lacked proof of citizenship despite holding commercial licenses, mostly issued in California, and were referred to ICE.
On February 20, the U.S. Department of Transportation declared that all commercial driver’s license tests will be conducted exclusively in English. During a press conference, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator Derek Barrs stated that the decision will “strengthen safety and integrity on America’s roads.” Furthermore, the registration system will receive updates on identification verification, and actions will be taken against noncompliant CDL training centers and carriers.
