Approximately 200,000 immigrant truck drivers, nearly all of whom are in the U.S. legally, will start losing their commercial driver’s licenses under a new rule implemented by the Trump administration starting Monday.
This rule prevents many noncitizens from obtaining new commercial licenses or renewing their current ones, posing challenges for an already strained trucking industry dealing with high fuel prices and frequent driver turnover, as reported by The Washington Post. Existing licenses will remain valid until they expire.
The affected groups include asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients.
The Transportation Department established this rule following several notable accidents involving immigrant drivers last summer. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy stated that the government had allowed “dangerous foreign drivers” to misuse the truck licensing system, arguing that some noncitizens cannot be thoroughly vetted for their driving history abroad.
What Critics Dispute
Critics argue the administration has not provided evidence that the targeted noncitizen groups are less safe on the roads compared to American citizens. Wendy Liu, an attorney with the Public Citizen Litigation Group, who is leading a lawsuit against the rule, noted to The Post that the administration acknowledged there is no factual link between a driver’s national origin and their safety outcomes.
Impact on Drivers and the Industry
Since current licenses will still be valid until they expire, the effects are expected to unfold gradually rather than as an immediate crisis. Transportation experts believe there won’t be major disruptions in the supply chain, but a reduced eligible workforce might raise labor costs for carriers, which could ultimately lead to higher consumer prices. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data indicates that immigrants hold around 5% of all commercial driver’s licenses, while trucks are responsible for transporting over 70% of freight in the U.S., according to the American Trucking Associations.
Transportation attorney Gregory Reed mentioned to The Post, “I have not heard any concerns about labor shortages or significant disruption to the supply chain or transportation industry, but this change will be reflected in the cost of doing business.” Rising fuel costs due to the ongoing conflict in Iran could exacerbate these challenges if labor costs increase simultaneously.
What Else Changed
This new licensing rule is part of a wider enforcement initiative affecting immigrant truck drivers. The administration has also intensified the enforcement of English-language requirements for truckers and moved to revoke the certifications of nearly 3,000 driver training centers in December that reportedly failed to comply with federal standards.
What Happens Next
The ongoing lawsuit against the rule has yet to be resolved, and some Republican lawmakers are advocating for further restrictions. According to The Post, after Trump urged Congress to limit immigrant access to commercial licenses, Senator Jim Banks of Indiana introduced legislation that would immediately revoke licenses for the same group affected by the new rule. This bill is currently progressing through Congress and awaits a vote.
