SouthernWorldwide.com – A Democratic candidate vying for a highly contested congressional seat in Wisconsin has highlighted her affiliation with a union that advocates for less stringent regulations on commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) for undocumented immigrants.
Rebecca Cooke, who is running in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District against incumbent Republican Representative Derrick Van Orden, announced her endorsement from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
“I am honored to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the hard-working men and women of AFSCME,” Cooke stated.
Cooke’s alliance with AFSCME aligns with the broader Democratic effort to counter crackdowns on proof of citizenship requirements in various industries.
The Department of Homeland Security has previously reported instances where individuals, who were undocumented immigrants, obtained CDLs and were involved in fatal accidents. One such case involved Dawood Hussain, a Pakistani national, who was charged with vehicular homicide in April. He was accused of driving a commercial truck the wrong way on a highway, leading to a collision that killed a U.S. citizen.
A spokesperson for USCIS, Matthew J. Tragesser, commented on the incident, stating, “Illegal aliens should not be operating 80,000-pound tractor-trailers on American roads.”
The spokesperson further added, “This tragedy, like many others, was completely preventable. Under President Trump’s leadership, USCIS remains committed to safeguarding our communities by helping to ensure dangerous illegal aliens are removed from our country, as well as supporting the president’s call for even tougher measures to prevent future truck tragedies.”
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As states and federal lawmakers consider changes to CDL regulations, AFSCME has voiced its opposition. The union argues that maintaining accessible standards is crucial for maximizing employment opportunities, including for undocumented immigrants.
AFSCME has published resources aimed at assisting businesses in navigating and potentially circumventing restrictions related to issuing CDLs to undocumented individuals.
Furthermore, the union has taken legal action against the Trump administration. They filed a lawsuit challenging federal requirements imposed by the Department of Transportation. These requirements aimed to mandate that states verify proof of lawful immigration status for CDL applicants.
Cooke’s connection with AFSCME is particularly significant in Wisconsin, a state with a substantial trucking industry workforce.
According to the Wisconsin Motor Carrier Association, over 186,600 Wisconsin residents are employed in the trucking sector. This figure represents approximately one in every fourteen jobs within the state.
Cooke previously competed against Van Orden for the congressional seat. In 2024, she lost the election by a narrow margin, with Van Orden securing 51.3% of the vote compared to Cooke’s 48.6%.
