WASHINGTON, (WAND) - Federal authorities are launching a massive, multi-agency crackdown on widespread fraud, illegal operations, and safety vulnerabilities within the nation's commercial trucking industry.
The Department of Justice, Department of Transportation (USDOT), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the formation of "Joint Task Force Crossroads of America." This multi-state partnership includes federal law enforcement, state police, and eight U.S. Attorneys—including Greg Gilmore of the Central District of Illinois and Steven Weinhoeft of the Southern District of Illinois.
The task force aims to dismantle criminal networks utilizing fraudulent documents, illicit financial schemes, and unqualified drivers on U.S. highways.
As part of the immediate crackdown, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the emergency removal of more than 110 commercial driver’s license (CDL) schools from its federal registry. These schools allegedly certified more than 5,000 drivers who failed required English language proficiency tests. An additional 160 training schools face proposed removal for violations like utilizing unlicensed instructors and lacking proper facilities. According to the FMCSA, those 160 schools are linked to 239 commercial vehicle traffic fatalities.
Additionally, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will conduct a synchronized nationwide sweep today, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, targeting more than 200 driving schools across 23 states.
Federal investigators are actively probing various schemes, including state DMV employees accepting bribes to bypass CDL requirements, medical practitioners falsifying required health exams, and companies exploiting unauthorized workers to transport domestic cargo.
The FMCSA is also launching a nationwide audit of third-party CDL skills testers. States that fail to properly oversee these testers and enforce federal rules face a mandatory withholding of up to 8% of their federal highway funding.
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