Federal Funding Cuts Loom for Non-Compliant States
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy has announced that the U.S. government is poised to cut federal funding to states that do not comply with English proficiency testing for commercial drivers. This statement follows a tragic incident from August 12th, where an undocumented immigrant from India was involved in a crash that resulted in the deaths of three Americans.
On Tuesday, Duffy highlighted that California, Washington, and New Mexico could face significant financial losses if they fail to enforce the English requirements for truck drivers. It seems quite serious, given how these funding cuts could amount to millions.
The regulations date back to the 1970s, established by the Federal Highway Administration. They require commercial drivers to have sufficient reading and speaking skills in English to understand road signs, respond to official inquiries, and maintain necessary documentation.
In a related move, President Donald Trump signed an executive order in April, which reinforced the need for English proficiency among drivers, stating that it is a “non-negotiable safety requirement.”
“My administration will enforce the law to keep Americans safe, including the implementation of regulations that ensure all drivers of commercial vehicles are properly qualified in our language,” the order stated.
Duffy noted that enforcing these language requirements has become crucial, especially after the recent incident in Florida where three Americans were killed due to the actions of illegal immigrants. The driver involved, 28-year-old Hal Jinder Singh, was recorded on dash cams making illegal U-turns before the crash occurred.
The fatal incident took place about 50 miles north of West Palm Beach, leading to the deaths of three Florida residents: Rodgrig Doe, aged 54 from Miami, Faniola Joseph, 37, from Pompano Beach, and Harvey Dufrein, 30, from Florida City.
Singh now faces charges, including three counts of vehicular homicide and immigration violations, as Governor Ron DeSantis declared his intention to “throw the book at him.”
“States cannot pick and choose which federal safety rules to follow,” Duffy remarked. “The tragic crash in Florida shows that when laws aren’t enforced, lives are put at risk.”
Duffy further asserted that Singh should not have been eligible for a commercial driver’s license in the first place, given his immigration status.
“It’s all about safety on our roads—whether it’s families, friends, or anyone else. We need to ensure that those behind the wheel of large trucks understand the rules of the road and are adequately trained,” Duffy added.
He mentioned that states that do not comply with the language requirements within 30 days could lose federal funds from the motor carrier safety assistance program. Potential losses could be steep: California might lose $33 million, Washington could see a $10.5 million drop, and New Mexico would potentially lose $7 million.
Later, Florida Attorney General James Usmier praised the Trump administration for holding states accountable for adhering to federal commercial driving standards.
“I commend the swift actions of President Trump and his administration,” Usmier stated. “This tragic accident was preventable, and it underlines the systemic issues within a state that mismanages this program.”
Usmier also pointed out Florida’s new initiative to convert truck weigh stations into immigration checkpoints, requiring drivers to pass English proficiency tests.
“We need to ensure that truck drivers have the necessary language skills to operate safely. If someone from a sanctuary state gets a license, it shouldn’t hold up here. We’re committed to protecting our citizens,” he added.
