Trump Focuses on Truck Driver Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants
President Trump has indicated that he plans to prioritize issuing truck driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants, as well as the training provided by truck driving schools, following the tragic death of a Pennsylvania state trooper who was hit by a truck driven by an undocumented immigrant.
During his remarks, Trump stated that his administration is implementing “historic actions” aimed at removing undocumented immigrant truck drivers from American roads.
“Soon, we will take historic actions to remove illegal alien truck drivers from our roads, as they are responsible for thousands of fatalities,” Trump said. He pointed out concerns over language barriers and substance abuse, stressing that these drivers pose a significant risk.
These comments were made at the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit in Carlisle, where Trump spotlighted the recent death of Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael Pahira. Trooper Pahira was killed while conducting a safety check on Interstate 81, struck by a truck driven by a Haitian immigrant who held a commercial driver’s license from Massachusetts—an individual who, according to Trump, shouldn’t have been permitted to drive.
The driver, identified as Michael Bong, 33, had been in the U.S. illegally for over a year after entering under the Biden administration. Though he applied for Temporary Protected Status, he was never granted that status and had received a deportation notice from Homeland Security.
One initiative the Trump administration is pursuing includes imposing sanctions on truck driving schools that train undocumented immigrants. The Department of Transportation announced an investigation into more than 550 truck driving schools nationwide for potential violations of federal safety standards.
“The trucking industry has operated too freely without accountability, and that shouldn’t be the case,” stated Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, emphasizing the need for American families to trust that drivers are properly trained and compliant with the law.
This month, it was reported that 75 schools have been charged with fraudulent practices. The Department of Transportation identified these entry-level CDL schools that allegedly helped non-citizens obtain licenses improperly, collaborating with Homeland Security to investigate.
Reports have suggested that some schools might be falsifying records, issuing incorrect certifications, or failing to provide adequate training.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin expressed his concern over the dangers posed by undocumented immigrants holding commercial licenses, emphasizing that many accidents could be avoided.
“We are working with the Department of Transportation to address CDL fraud and improve the integrity of the licensing system,” he said, asserting this as a government-wide initiative to enhance road safety.
Transportation Secretary Duffy noted ongoing efforts to eliminate bad practices in the trucking industry. He mentioned that over 24,000 drivers were removed for language issues, and more than 28,000 licenses illegally granted to foreign drivers were revoked.
“If you are cheating the system, we will track you down and impose severe penalties,” he warned, underscoring the collaborative efforts with Homeland Security to safeguard American highways.
