Concerns Over Undocumented Immigrants with Commercial Licenses
Truck drivers are raising alarms about undocumented immigrants receiving commercial driving licenses. They caution that loosening licensing requirements amid a nationwide driver shortage is creating a potential safety crisis on American highways.
“The American truck driver community is frustrated by the influx of foreign drivers in our industry and the challenges we face daily,” said Harvey Beach, co-founder of American Truckers United, during an appearance on a morning show.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have both criticized sanctuary states for permitting undocumented immigrants to obtain commercial driver’s licenses. This scrutiny follows several notable traffic incidents featuring illegal truck drivers. Noem revealed that, as part of “Operation Midway Blitz,” over 200 illegal immigrants were removed from the roads, including 46 semi-truck drivers and 82 others in various vehicles.
Noem pointed out that commercial licenses were granted in more than a dozen states. According to Shannon Everett, another co-founder of American Truckers United, this trend has significantly increased over the past five years. He noted that to address the perceived driver shortage, the industry has been lowering standards, including those for obtaining driver’s licenses, but only in specific states.
Noem and Duffy called out states like California, accusing Governor Gavin Newsom of permitting undocumented immigrants to illegally acquire business licenses. Duffy mentioned that federal authorities are targeting “CDL factories,” where commercial driver’s licenses are issued without adequate oversight.
Everett urged the public to be vigilant when choosing trucking companies, stating that many operate with unlicensed drivers from sanctuary states like Illinois, New York, and California. “I think people might be surprised by how many new trucking companies are starting up each month and who is actually behind them,” he remarked.
He raised a crucial question that America should ponder: “With each of these accidents, we need to consider whose cargo was on the truck and why the shippers aren’t being held accountable for hiring drivers who don’t even speak English?”
The issue of licensing standards has garnered renewed attention following a tragic accident in Southern California on October 21, where 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh was allegedly driving a semi-truck under the influence, leading to a crash that claimed three lives.
In response, Newsom’s office defended California’s stance, arguing that its commercial driver’s license policy adheres to federal laws. A spokesperson claimed, “California-issued CDL drivers are involved in fatal crashes at a considerably lower rate than the national average.” They added that if safety is the priority, California should be viewed positively, rather than as a scapegoat.
