Justice Clarence Thomas accused the Supreme Court of shirking its constitutional duty after the majority refused to hear Florida’s lawsuit challenging California and Washington’s commercial driver’s license policies for undocumented immigrants.
Florida argued that the two states violated federal standards requiring English proficiency and lawful immigration status for commercial drivers, creating a public safety risk on roadways. The dispute centered on whether the licensing practices contributed to dangerous driving conditions.
What Thomas Argued
Thomas, joined by Justice Samuel Alito, contended the Supreme Court had a constitutional obligation to hear the case because disputes between states can only be brought before the high court. “If this Court does not exercise jurisdiction over a controversy between two States, then the complaining State has no judicial forum in which to seek relief,” Thomas wrote in his statement.
Thomas pointed to a fatal Florida highway crash involving truck driver Harjinder Singh, arguing the driver “could not read the road signs.” He stated that allowing people in the country illegally who cannot read English to operate commercial vehicles endangered public safety.
“Federal law and regulations prohibit States from providing commercial driver’s licenses to applicants unless they pass a driver’s test, sufficiently understand the English language, and show appropriate immigration status,” Thomas noted.
The Constitutional Question
Thomas argued the court should not have discretion to decline jurisdiction over interstate disputes. “We have no more right to decline the exercise of jurisdiction which is given, than to usurp that which is not given,” he wrote.
With the court’s refusal to hear the case, Florida has no other legal recourse to pursue its claims. The state now has no judicial forum available to challenge the licensing practices of the two states.
