Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Dec 13: The US Transportation Department on Friday warned New York state it could lose $73 million in federal highway funding unless it addresses concerns about commercial driver licenses improperly issued to non-US citizens.

The notice, part of a broader push under the Trump administration targeting Democratic-led states, gives New York 30 days to take corrective action following a federal audit. The emergency regulation restricting licenses for immigrants and non-citizens was issued after a fatal crash in Florida highlighted safety concerns.

“If we're going to have drivers on American roadways, they need to be the best trained, the best skilled, because if operated incorrectly, these are lethal weapons,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.

Similar threats have been made to Minnesota, California, and Chicago over licensing and transit safety issues, with past actions including the removal of thousands of commercial driver-training providers from federal registries and demands for improved police protection on public transport.

The department has previously withheld millions in federal funding from states and cities for noncompliance with licensing rules and safety standards, a move critics say disproportionately affects Democratic-run regions.