Investigation Reveals CDL Access for Chinese Immigrants
A recent investigation has uncovered that illegal Chinese immigrants are acquiring commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to work in the U.S. trucking industry, facilitated by networks tied to the Chinese government.
Based in New York, the non-profit organization known as CATOU, which stands for Chinese American truck driving and aircraft organization USA Inc., assists over 1,000 Chinese students in obtaining their CDL, boasting a remarkable 100% success rate according to its filings and social media. Videos circulating on social media depict individuals who quickly secure a California CDL through courses conducted by CATOU instructors after crossing the southern U.S. border.
Concerns for public safety arise from truck drivers with ambiguous criminal and driving histories, an issue brought to light by Geng Hang, CATOU’s board chair. His role within the organization is linked to the Chinese government and the Communist Party, as revealed by translations from related announcements. This organization operates under an agency known as the United Front Work Division (UFWD).
One industry expert stated, “There’s no mechanism for American citizens to ensure that a California gateway can operate heavy vehicles. This alone raises serious public safety and homeland security issues.”
The expansive networks associated with the Chinese Communist Party could deepen national security threats by “training, accrediting, and certifying” unlawful immigrants along major transport routes, according to Yates. “Can we trust this network during times of heightened tension with the CCP?”
Efforts to reach CATOU and Geng Hang for commentary went unanswered.
“No Failures So Far”
Chinese social media posts show CATOU instructors educating students about the trucking industry. Geng also directs operations at the Red Apple Employment Agency in New York, which seeks to find jobs for Chinese citizens—even without proper documentation—paying between $80 and $100 per job. Reports suggest that while no official business application was found for Red Apple, promotional materials featuring both CATOU and Geng’s name are prominently displayed in the agency’s office.
Members of CATOU also teach driving lessons at a facility in Manassas, Virginia. One video from a social media account indicates that a driving school serving many Chinese students claims to have never had a failure among its 1,000 students. “Experienced drivers can pass in a week; those without experience might need about a month,” one recent post mentioned.
A social media account identified as @tiange999 details the experiences of Chinese citizens who migrated to North America, indicating they successfully navigated the CDL testing a mere two months after arriving. In fact, recent videos show this individual driving a coach bus under a company name linked to North Carolina.
The Biden administration faced scrutiny over the influx of illegal immigrants at the southern border, with more than 182,000 Chinese citizens reportedly crossing from 2021 to 2024.
Recent commentary from industry veterans highlighted a shocking incident involving illegal immigrant truck drivers, further emphasizing the urgency of the situation. “Drivers don’t seem aware enough of the national security risks,” remarked Justin Martin, a truck industry professional with 15 years of experience. “The presence of these drivers isn’t going away anytime soon.”
“Slowly Handing Over to Foreign Interests”
Geng has previously held positions in various organizations that promote Chinese influence in the U.S. This includes meetings at the shared offices of CATOU and Red Apple. The American Shaankshi General Chamber of Commerce (ASGCC) also indicates Geng’s connection to the Chinese government, as documents reveal his role as vice-chairman.
This organization has a history of engaging with Chinese governmental representatives and promoting investment opportunities. Experts argue that the trucking industry is gradually falling into the hands of foreign actors, who exploit the system and extract value from U.S. operations through wage control and inefficiencies.
Attempts to gather comments from ASGCC, Red Apple, CATOU, and other associated entities have not yielded any responses. Overall, this investigation raises pressing concerns about the implications of these networks on public safety and national security.
