Gov. Shapiro: Federal Database Cleared Terrorism Suspect To Get License

Gov. Josh Shapiro speaking with a constituent in Bristol Borough on Wednesday morning. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

Gov. Josh Shapiro on Wednesday asserted that federal officials and not his administration must explain how a man accused of terrorism-related crimes overseas was able to obtain a commercial drivers license (CDL) in Pennsylvania.

Shapiro, a Democrat, made the comments during a press conference on childcare policy at Children of God Educational Services in Bristol Borough. He was responding to LevittownNow.com‘s questions about 31-year-old Akhror Bozorov, of Philadelphia, who federal authorities say is wanted by Uzbekistan for belonging to a terrorist group.

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The governor’s remarks followed a public statement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently that questioned why “Governor Josh Shapiro’s Pennsylvania” issued Bozorov a CDL.

Shapiro pointed to the state’s mandatory reliance on a federal database for flagging names when a non-citizen applies for a CDL.

“Anytime a non-citizen applies for a CDL, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is required to go and check a federal database in order to see whether or not that individual qualifies to be able to receive a CDL,” Shapiro said. “We checked the federal database months ago when this individual received his CDL and he was authorized to get it by the federal database.”

Shapiro and the PennDOT secretary stated that Bozorov was authorized to obtain the license by the federal government, and, even after his arrest, he still qualified as of Tuesday.

“Ironically, we went and checked the database yesterday. He still qualified to get a CDL,” Shapiro said.

Bozorov’s CDL was obtained on July 25, according to images released by federal authorities.

The Uzbek man is accused of distributing terrorist propaganda online calling for jihad, and recruiting terrorists overseas.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized the state in a statement.

“This should go without saying, but terrorist illegal aliens should not be operating 18-wheelers on America’s highways,” McLaughlin said.

Shapiro said the blame lies with the federal system, not the state’s licensing process.

“Look, I think there are real questions here. If you get rid of the political theatrics that I know most of the people are engaged in and you really look at the questions, there are real questions,” Shapiro said. “The questions though have to be directed to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and this database that’s run by Secretary Noem.”

He continued, “They clearly are not minding the shop and they’ve got to get better because every single state in the country relies on this database when making a determination as to who qualifies for a CDL. We relied on the feds before issuing this one.”

Bozorov, who is originally from Uzbekistan, came to America in 2023 after reportedly fleeing alleged terrorism charges in his home country. He entered the U.S. illegally and was arrested by border patrol in February 2023, but was later released and given permission to work by former President Joe Biden’s administration in January 2024, according to federal authorities.

A copy of the man’s license. Credit: DHS

The controversy has drawn political fire from state Republicans, who want the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office and Pennsylvania Auditor General’s Office, both held by Republicans, to investigate.

GOP lawmakers issued statements and a letter to the state earlier this week, PennDOT and the Department of State responded in a letter explaining the state’s role on Wednesday. The letter was issued at Shapiro was speaking in Bristol Borough.

Pennsylvania House Republicans, in a Tuesday statement, said Bozorov’s arrest showed a “serious lapse in judgement” on Shapiro’s part and called for an investigation into PennDOT’s processes, including the opportunity for voter registration.

PennDOT allows applicants to register to vote when they get or renew their license, but noncitizens are ineligible to vote in Pennsylvania.

Shapiro said Bozorov was never a registered voter in the state and he did not try to register or submit a ballot.

“Absolutely not. He was not able to register and didn’t attempt to register,” the governor said.

State Republican Party Chairman Greg Rothman demanded a “full and immediate investigation” into the license issuance, calling it a “national security breach.”

PennDOT officials said the state is complying with a directive from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that has halted CDLs being issued to drivers in the country on temporary visas.

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