In a powerful moment during his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump called on Congress to pass the ‘Delilah Law,’ a federal measure aimed at prohibiting states from issuing commercial driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. Trump spotlighted the heartbreaking story of young Delilah Coleman, a little girl severely injured in a California truck crash caused by an undocumented driver from India.
Standing before a packed Congress on Wednesday, Trump declared, ‘I urge Congress to pass a law we will call the Delilah Law, which will prohibit any state from issuing commercial driver’s licenses to illegal aliens.’ The audience erupted in applause as Delilah, now in first grade and learning to walk again, sat in the public gallery. Her father, Marcus Coleman, lifted her up amid the cheers when Trump invited her to be recognized.
The incident that changed Delilah’s life occurred in June 2024 in California. Pratap Singh, who entered the U.S. illegally via Mexico in October 2022, was allegedly speeding an 18-wheeler through a construction zone. He failed to stop, slamming into multiple vehicles and injuring several people, including Delilah. Doctors initially warned she might never walk, talk, or eat normally again. Yet, Trump hailed her as an inspiration, noting her remarkable recovery.
Trump didn’t mince words, blaming his predecessor Joe Biden’s border policies for allowing such entrants and criticizing California’s open-border stance for granting Singh his CDL. He highlighted broader dangers, pointing out that many illegal immigrants can’t read English road signs for directions, speeds, hazards, or locations, posing grave risks on American highways.
This push comes amid rising concerns over trucking safety and immigration enforcement. Federal data from the Department of Homeland Security confirmed Singh’s identity as the driver. Trump’s proposal seeks to override state laws, ensuring no commercial licenses go to those without legal status. As Delilah’s story resonates nationwide, the ‘Delilah Law’ could spark intense debate on Capitol Hill, balancing public safety with states’ rights.