Supreme Court declines Florida's suit over commercial licenses for undocumented drivers

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On May 26, 2026, the Supreme Court denied Florida leave to file an original lawsuit against California and Washington over the commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) those states issue to non-citizens. The one-line order — 'The motion for leave to file a bill of complaint is denied' — ended the case without any ruling on the merits. Justice Thomas, joined by Justice Alito, dissented, arguing the Court cannot refuse to hear a controversy between states. The decision set no precedent and did not change any state's CDL eligibility rules.

Supreme Court declines Florida’s suit over commercial licenses for undocumented drivers

Status: Decided — Florida v. California (and Washington) (No. 162, Original)

On May 26, 2026, the Supreme Court denied Florida leave to file an original lawsuit against California and Washington over the commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) those states issue to non-citizens. The one-line order — "The motion for leave to file a bill of complaint is denied" — ended the case without any ruling on the merits. Justice Thomas, joined by Justice Alito, dissented, arguing the Court cannot refuse to hear a controversy between states. The decision set no precedent and did not change any state's CDL eligibility rules.

Next step: None — the order is final and the case is over. The Court did not decide whether California's or Washington's licensing laws are valid, so the underlying questions could return in another court, but nothing in this case is pending. CDL eligibility in each state is set by that state's own law and the federal commercial-license standards, which this order did not change.

Verified against the primary source as of 2026-07-25 — status can change with a single court ruling. Official source.

What’s happening

Who it affects

Non-citizens who hold or are seeking a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in California or Washington, and anyone who heard that this case “ended” CDL eligibility for immigrants. Because the Court declined to hear the suit and issued no ruling on the merits, no one’s CDL eligibility changed and no precedent was set — California’s and Washington’s licensing laws remain in place exactly as before. The order is a procedural decision about which court can hear a dispute between states, not a ruling on who may hold a commercial license.

How it got here

Aug 12, 2025 A tractor-trailer driven by Harjinder Singh, who Florida says lacked legal immigration status, crashes on the Florida Turnpike, killing three people. The crash prompts Florida to question how Singh obtained commercial driver's licenses in California and Washington.
Oct 16, 2025 Florida moves for leave to file a bill of complaint directly in the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking to sue California and Washington. Florida argues that federal law preempts the parts of those states' laws that bar licensing officials from asking about immigration status, and that issuing CDLs in disregard of federal standards is a public nuisance.
May 26, 2026 The Supreme Court denies Florida's motion for leave to file, ending the case without addressing the merits. Justice Thomas, joined by Justice Alito, dissents, arguing the Court lacks discretion to turn away a controversy between states. No precedent is set and no CDL eligibility rule changes.

What to watch next

None — the order is final and the case is over. The Court did not decide whether California’s or Washington’s licensing laws are valid, so the underlying questions could return in another court, but nothing in this case is pending. CDL eligibility in each state is set by that state’s own law and the federal commercial-license standards, which this order did not change.

Official sources

This page is general information about ongoing litigation, not legal advice. A case’s status can change with a single ruling, and outcomes can turn on facts specific to each person. For advice on a specific situation, consult a licensed immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative.

Frequently asked questions

What is this case about?

Non-citizens who hold or are seeking a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in California or Washington, and anyone who heard that this case ’ended’ CDL eligibility for immigrants. Because the Court declined to hear the suit and issued no ruling on the merits, no one’s CDL eligibility changed and no precedent was set — California’s and Washington’s licensing laws remain in place exactly as before. The order is a procedural decision about which court can hear a dispute between states, not a ruling on who may hold a commercial license.

Where does it stand right now?

On May 26, 2026, the Supreme Court denied Florida leave to file an original lawsuit against California and Washington over the commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) those states issue to non-citizens. The one-line order — ‘The motion for leave to file a bill of complaint is denied’ — ended the case without any ruling on the merits. Justice Thomas, joined by Justice Alito, dissented, arguing the Court cannot refuse to hear a controversy between states. The decision set no precedent and did not change any state’s CDL eligibility rules. None — the order is final and the case is over. The Court did not decide whether California’s or Washington’s licensing laws are valid, so the underlying questions could return in another court, but nothing in this case is pending. CDL eligibility in each state is set by that state’s own law and the federal commercial-license standards, which this order did not change.

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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.