This bill proposes to condition federal highway funding on state compliance with federal immigration enforcement policies, asserting that such adherence is vital for road safety and national security. It posits that states issuing driver's licenses without verifying lawful presence or hindering cooperation with federal immigration authorities undermine these objectives. Under the proposed law, the Secretary of Transportation would be required to withhold a percentage of federal highway funds from states found to be non-compliant. A state would be deemed non-compliant if it issues driver's licenses without requiring evidence of lawful status , restricts information sharing with the Department of Homeland Security regarding immigration status, or fails to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers . The withholding would start at 5 percent of apportioned funds for the first year of non-compliance, increasing to 10 percent for subsequent years. States would be mandated to annually certify their compliance, with the Secretary authorized to conduct audits and provide technical assistance. Funds withheld could be restored if a state achieves compliance before the end of the fiscal year.
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Timeline
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Transportation and Public Works
Enforce Immigration or Lose Transportation Act
USA119th CongressS-3773| Senate
| Updated: 2/4/2026
This bill proposes to condition federal highway funding on state compliance with federal immigration enforcement policies, asserting that such adherence is vital for road safety and national security. It posits that states issuing driver's licenses without verifying lawful presence or hindering cooperation with federal immigration authorities undermine these objectives. Under the proposed law, the Secretary of Transportation would be required to withhold a percentage of federal highway funds from states found to be non-compliant. A state would be deemed non-compliant if it issues driver's licenses without requiring evidence of lawful status , restricts information sharing with the Department of Homeland Security regarding immigration status, or fails to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers . The withholding would start at 5 percent of apportioned funds for the first year of non-compliance, increasing to 10 percent for subsequent years. States would be mandated to annually certify their compliance, with the Secretary authorized to conduct audits and provide technical assistance. Funds withheld could be restored if a state achieves compliance before the end of the fiscal year.