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PAUL MAURO: Sanctuary states have a DMV problem — and Trump can demand answers
The article argues that federal authorities should examine how sanctuary states issue ordinary driving licences, after a driver who had twice been removed from the US was accused of causing a fatal crash that killed Ryan O’Shea. It says the case raises questions about whether state motor vehicle departments are helping people without legal status obtain licences, and urges President Donald Trump’s administration to seek answers.
The article also cites fatal crashes involving foreign drivers with commercial licences and describes a 2025 federal audit that reportedly found widespread irregularities. It says more than half of commercial licences in New York and 25% in California were unlawfully issued, and that the federal government withheld $73 million from New York. A federal task force began with more than 1,000 leads and inspected over 200 driving schools across 23 states; the article notes that O’Shea’s alleged killer did not hold a commercial licence.
In short
- Ryan O’Shea was killed in a crash involving a driver twice removed from the US.
- The article calls for scrutiny of state driving licence systems.
- A federal task force is investigating commercial licence fraud across 23 states.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The case of a driver accused of causing a fatal crash after twice being removed from the US can reasonably prompt scrutiny of how states verify identity and eligibility when issuing licences. Supporters of federal demands for answers would argue that reliable licensing systems protect public safety, and that reported irregularities in commercial licensing warrant investigation and accountability, even though the accused driver did not hold a commercial licence.
The case against
Critics could accept the need to investigate specific evidence of licensing irregularities while questioning whether this case justifies a broad federal campaign against sanctuary states. They would stress that ordinary and commercial licences serve different purposes, that the article does not establish a link between the crash and state licensing practices, and that federal action should be evidence-led and respect states’ authority over routine licensing.