Trump Unveils Dalilah’s Law: Ban on Driver’s Licenses
Dalilah’s Law: Trump Calls for Ban on Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants in Historic Address
In the longest State of the Union address in modern American history, President Donald Trump placed immigration policy at the heart of his legislative agenda, urging Congress to pass what he called Dalilah’s Law — a proposal designed to bar states from issuing Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) to undocumented immigrants.
The emotionally charged appeal came as Trump highlighted the story of a young girl whose life was permanently altered in a devastating highway crash, using the moment to underscore his administration’s hardline stance on border security and criminal justice reform.
Trump: What Is Dalilah’s Law?
Dalilah’s Law would prohibit states from granting commercial driver’s licenses to individuals who are in the United States without legal status. According to Trump, the proposed legislation is aimed at enhancing road safety and preventing similar tragedies.
“Many, if not most, illegal aliens do not speak English and cannot read even the most basic road signs,” Trump told lawmakers and millions watching nationwide. “That’s why tonight, I’m calling on Congress to pass what we will call the ‘Dalilah Law’ — barring any state from granting Commercial Drivers Licenses to illegal aliens.”
The president framed the proposal as both a public safety measure and a broader extension of his administration’s immigration crackdown.
The Crash That Sparked the Proposal
The legislation is named after Dalilah Coleman, now seven years old, who attended the State of the Union as a guest of honor.
According to the United States Department of Homeland Security, Dalilah was critically injured in 2024 when an 18-wheeler truck allegedly failed to stop while driving through a construction zone. Authorities say the driver, identified as Partap Singh, was operating the vehicle at high speed when the collision occurred.
Singh allegedly entered the United States illegally via the southern border in October 2022 and was later released under policies implemented during the administration of former President Joe Biden. He was re-arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in August 2025 and is currently facing deportation proceedings.
The crash left Dalilah in a coma for three weeks. She underwent six months of intensive hospital care, including a craniectomy. For four months, she reportedly lived without half her skull before reconstructive procedures were completed. She suffered a broken femur, multiple skull fractures, and now faces lifelong medical challenges, including diplegic cerebral palsy and global developmental delay.
Reports from the New York Post detailed the extent of her injuries, noting that she lost the ability to eat orally and continues therapy as she relearns how to walk.
Trump: A Direct Attack on Biden’s Immigration Record
Throughout the address, Trump sharply criticized Joe Biden, blaming what he described as lax border enforcement for allowing undocumented immigrants to enter and remain in the country.
The president argued that policies under Biden led to a surge in illegal crossings and placed American communities at risk. By invoking Dalilah’s story, Trump tied immigration enforcement directly to public safety concerns, strengthening his call for stricter federal oversight.
The speech reinforced a familiar campaign message: border security, immigration control, and law-and-order reforms remain pillars of Trump’s political platform.
Broader Criminal Justice Reforms
Beyond Dalilah’s Law, Trump called for sweeping criminal justice changes to ensure that “violent and dangerous repeat offenders are put behind bars, and importantly, stay there.”