Lawmakers Demand Review After Illegal Immigrant With Terror Ties Secures PA REAL ID

Lawmakers Request Review of State Licensing and Identification Systems

Leaders of the Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus are calling for a comprehensive investigation into the state’s driver’s license, REAL ID, and voter registration systems after an Uzbek national living in the country illegally and allegedly connected to terrorism reportedly obtained a Pennsylvania Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a REAL ID indicator.

The development, which became public earlier this week, prompted House Republican Leader Jesse Topper and other caucus officials to send a formal letter to Attorney General Dave Sunday and Auditor General Tim DeFoor. Their request seeks to determine how the individual was able to navigate the state’s verification processes and acquire documentation that provides access to commercial driving privileges and certain forms of federal identification.

Concerns Over Vetting and Verification

In their letter, GOP leaders expressed alarm not only about the issuance of a standard driver’s license but specifically about the granting of a REAL ID — a federally recognized identification that allows holders to board commercial flights, enter federal facilities, and access military installations.

“Illegal immigrants with alleged ties to terrorism should not be getting a Pennsylvania driver’s license in any form, obtaining a REAL ID, or having the opportunity to vote as part of automatic voter registration,” the lawmakers said, arguing that the incident highlights broader issues within the state’s identification and registration systems.

They noted that many Pennsylvanians, including U.S. citizens and legal residents, already face stringent requirements and long waits to obtain a REAL ID. The fact that an individual without legal immigration status was able to secure one, they said, raises questions about procedural safeguards and the potential for security vulnerabilities.

Lawmakers Seek Accountability and System Review

The Republican leaders emphasized their belief that the answers should come from an independent, thorough review conducted by the state’s top law enforcement and auditing officials. They asked Attorney General Sunday and Auditor General DeFoor to examine how the individual’s application was processed, whether existing vetting protocols were followed, and whether weaknesses in documentation review or identity verification contributed to the issue.

“Pennsylvanians are rightly demanding answers as to how this happened and what is being done to stop this from happening in the future,” the lawmakers said. They added that the Attorney General and Auditor General are uniquely positioned to conduct a fact-finding investigation and recommend necessary reforms.

REAL ID Access and National Security Concerns

REAL ID compliance has been a topic of debate in Pennsylvania for years, as residents prepare for future federal deadlines that will require the enhanced identification for certain forms of travel and building access.

State Republicans argue that the possession of a REAL ID by someone here illegally — particularly someone with reported ties to terrorism — underscores the importance of strong verification procedures.

They contend that the lapse poses potential national security risks, given the authority and access REAL ID documentation can grant. The caucus leaders said they expect the Shapiro administration to offer clear explanations and corrective actions as the situation continues to unfold.

Next Steps

As of now, there has been no public response from Attorney General Sunday, Auditor General DeFoor, or the Shapiro administration regarding the request for an investigation.

House Republican leaders say they hope the review will produce actionable recommendations to help restore trust in the state’s identification, licensing, and voter registration processes. The issue is expected to remain a major point of discussion among state officials, residents, and security experts in the coming weeks.