Truckers Raise Concerns Over Illegal Immigrants Holding Commercial Licenses
Truck drivers are expressing serious concerns regarding illegal immigrants being issued commercial driver’s licenses. They argue that the loosening of licensing standards amidst a national driver shortage has led to a significant safety issue on U.S. roadways.
Harvey Beech, co-founder of American Truckers United, shared on “Fox & Friends” that the professional truck driver community is voicing dissatisfaction with the increasing presence of foreign drivers in their sector and the challenges that arise from it.
Government Officials Target Sanctuary States
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have criticized sanctuary states for allegedly enabling illegal immigrants to receive commercial driver’s licenses. This initiative comes after several serious traffic incidents involving undocumented truck drivers.
On Thursday, Noem reported that over 200 illegal immigrants were removed from driving duties in “Operation Midway Blitz,” which included 46 semi-truck drivers and 82 others operating various vehicles.
Growing Issue of Licensing Standards
Noem noted that these commercial licenses were distributed in more than a dozen states. Shannon Everett, another co-founder of American Truckers United, stated that the situation has dramatically worsened over the past five years, as efforts have been made to lower standards to address the driver shortage.
Both Noem and Duffy have pinpointed states like California, suggesting that Governor Gavin Newsom’s policies have facilitated the issuance of commercial licenses to undocumented immigrants. Duffy indicated that federal authorities are focusing on “CDL mills” that have issued licenses without adequate oversight.
Call for Accountability in Trucking
Everett urged greater public awareness regarding trucking companies employing unqualified drivers, particularly those based in sanctuary states like Illinois, New York, and California. He emphasized the surprising number of new trucking companies emerging monthly and questioned the oversight of these businesses.
Renewed attention to licensing standards follows a tragic crash in Southern California on October 21, where a 21-year-old Indian national, Jashanpreet Singh, allegedly drove a semi-truck under the influence, resulting in a pileup that killed three individuals.
State Response and Defense
In response, Newsom’s office blamed federal policies for the incident and asserted that California’s laws regarding commercial driver’s licenses align with federal regulations. They emphasized that drivers with California-issued CDLs are involved in fatal accidents at a rate significantly lower than the national average.
