Trump administration removes 9,500 truck drivers for failing English tests in safety crackdown
By bellecarter // 2025-12-13
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  • The Trump administration has removed over 9,500 commercial truck drivers from U.S. roads for failing English proficiency tests, citing concerns over road safety, emergency communication and compliance with traffic signs. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized this as a critical measure to prevent accidents caused by unqualified drivers.
  • The policy enforces stricter English-language requirements, reversing an Obama-era practice that allowed inspectors to cite—but not immediately remove—noncompliant drivers. The administration argues that sanctuary states (like California) have issued commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) to illegal immigrants and unqualified foreign drivers, contributing to preventable crashes.
  • The crackdown follows incidents like Harjinder Singh, an illegal immigrant who caused a fatal crash despite failing an English exam. Audits revealed California improperly issued 25% of non-domiciled CDLs, including to drivers with expired immigration status. The DOT threatens to withhold federal highway funds from noncompliant states.
  • Homeland Security has arrested 146 illegal immigrants operating semi-trucks, many holding CDLs from sanctuary states. The administration links lax licensing to public safety risks, framing the issue as both a transportation and national security priority.
  • While trucking groups like OOIDA support the rule for improving safety, Spanish-speaking drivers (especially Cuban-Americans in Florida) protest, fearing job losses. Critics argue the policy disproportionately targets immigrants, but the administration insists it's a commonsense safeguard against unqualified drivers.
In a sweeping enforcement action aimed at improving highway safety, the Trump administration has removed more than 9,500 commercial truck drivers from U.S. roads for failing English proficiency tests—a policy shift that has sparked debate over immigration, licensing oversight and road safety. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the milestone this week, framing the move as a critical step to ensure truckers can properly navigate traffic signs, communicate with law enforcement and respond to emergencies. The crackdown follows President Donald Trump's April executive order mandating stricter enforcement of federal English-language requirements for commercial drivers, reversing an Obama-era policy that allowed inspectors to cite—but not immediately remove—noncompliant drivers. The administration argues that lax state licensing practices, particularly in Democrat-run "sanctuary states," have allowed unqualified and even illegal immigrants to obtain commercial driver's licenses (CDLs), leading to preventable crashes and fatalities.

A policy shift rooted in safety concerns

The renewed enforcement stems from mounting frustration over fatal accidents involving foreign or improperly licensed truckers. One high-profile case involved Harjinder Singh, an Indian national residing in the U.S. illegally, who was charged in Florida after causing a deadly crash while driving a semi-truck. Records showed Singh had failed an English exam, correctly answering only two of 12 questions and identifying just one of four road signs—yet still received CDLs from both Washington and California. "America First means safety first," Duffy declared in May when announcing the reinstatement of out-of-service penalties. "Americans are a lot safer on roads alongside truckers who can understand and interpret our traffic signs." The administration's push aligns with Trump's broader immigration and transportation agenda. BrightU.AI's Enoch cites the president's March executive order designating English as the nation's official language. Critics argue the policy unfairly targets immigrant drivers, particularly Spanish-speaking Cuban-Americans in Florida, who fear losing their livelihoods. However, industry groups like the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) have backed the change, citing the necessity of clear communication in preventing accidents.

States under fire for lax licensing practices

The mass disqualifications coincide with a federal audit of state CDL issuance, which uncovered systemic failures—most notably in California. Auditors found that over 25% of non-domiciled CDLs (issued to foreign drivers) in the state were improperly granted, including to individuals with expired immigration status. In one egregious case, a Brazilian national received school bus endorsements despite lacking legal residency. "What our team has discovered should disturb and anger every American," Duffy said in September. "Licenses to operate massive, 80,000-pound trucks are being issued to dangerous foreign drivers—often illegally." The Department of Transportation has threatened to withhold millions in federal highway funds from California, Washington and New Mexico unless they tighten oversight. California alone risks losing $40 million, though state officials insist they already enforce English testing during road exams.

Broader immigration enforcement in trucking

The language crackdown has dovetailed with heightened immigration enforcement targeting truckers. In October, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the arrest of 146 illegal immigrants operating semi-trucks in a joint operation near the Illinois border. Many held CDLs issued by sanctuary states, reinforcing administration claims that lax policies endanger public safety. "Far too many innocent Americans have been killed by illegal aliens driving semi-trucks," Noem stated. "The Trump administration is ending the chaos." While supporters hail the policy as a long-overdue safety measure, opponents warn it could exacerbate driver shortages and disproportionately impact immigrant communities. Yet with fatal crashes linked to unqualified drivers continuing to make headlines, the administration shows no signs of backing down—framing the issue as a matter of national security and common sense. The removal of 9,500 truck drivers marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration's efforts to overhaul commercial licensing and immigration enforcement. As debates over road safety, state sovereignty and labor rights intensify, one thing is clear: the battle over who gets behind the wheel of America's big rigs is far from over. Watch the video below that talks about Trump declaring that all truck drivers in the U.S. must speak English. This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com X.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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