The Donald Trump administration has announced the cancellation of commercial truck driving licenses for more than 28,000 immigrants in the United States. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the action, stating it is part of a broader initiative that includes a new campaign to recruit military veterans into the trucking sector.
According to an administration press release, 24,000 non-citizen commercial driver’s licenses were revoked due to the holders' inability to speak or read English proficiently. Furthermore, the administration collaborated with various states to shut down 9,500 driving schools that had facilitated these truckers in obtaining their licenses within the U.S.
Impact on Indian Immigrants
This policy change is anticipated to heavily impact Indian immigrants residing in the U.S., particularly drivers originating from Punjab and Haryana. Data from the North American Punjabi Truckers Association indicates that approximately 130,000 to 150,000 truck drivers in the U.S. come directly from these two Indian states.
Crackdown Intensifies After Fatal Crash
The intensified crackdown on immigrant truck drivers follows a tragic incident in August 2025 in Florida, where a truck driver allegedly executed an illegal U-turn, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. Following this accident, the U.S. Department of Transportation began rigorously enforcing existing English-language regulations for commercial truckers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the driver, who was from India, should never have been issued a license.
Since the incident, an additional 26,000 drivers have been removed from the road due to their failure to adequately demonstrate English proficiency. The federal government has also pursued measures to withhold millions of dollars in highway funding from states like California and New York, alleging non-compliance in revoking thousands more licenses. This dispute is currently awaiting a court decision. Warnings regarding potential funding loss have also been issued to Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and North Carolina.
“Freedom Haulers” Campaign Launched
To mitigate any potential driver shortage caused by these cancellations, the administration has introduced the “Freedom Haulers” campaign. This program aims to accelerate military veterans' entry into the trucking industry. The Associated Press reported that veterans who have recently operated large military vehicles will now be permitted to bypass the standard skills test required for a commercial driver’s license.
President Trump, along with Secretary Duffy, Veterans Affairs Secretary Douglas A. Collins, and acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling, met with veterans at the White House last week to officially launch the campaign. The Transportation Department affirmed that the initiative “builds on President Trump’s efforts to clean up America’s roadways, crack down on dangerous foreign drivers, and support American truckers.”
Secretary Duffy emphasized the administration’s stance, stating, “Illegal immigrants who can’t speak our language have no business getting behind the wheel of a big rig. Veterans — who have already demonstrated the grit, discipline, and skills to take on this vital task — are the right people for the job.” He added that the initiative would enable veterans to obtain licenses faster and begin earning substantial income in record time.