America first means America FIRST!
President Donald Trump is once again standing up for America’s workers. Following a fatal crash tied to an illegal immigrant truck driver, Trump’s administration—with the backing of Secretary of State Marco Rubio—has moved to pause foreign work visas for truckers immediately.
Trump Puts Safety First
The announcement comes after Rubio declared that America cannot afford to let unqualified foreign drivers take over U.S. highways. “The increasing number of foreign drivers operating tractor-trailer trucks on American roads is endangering American lives and undercutting American truckers,” Rubio said.
The American Trucking Associations (ATA), led by Chris Spear, applauded the move. The group has long warned that the issuance of non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) requires tighter scrutiny, especially when drivers lack English proficiency or basic knowledge of highway safety rules.
Tragic Crash Exposes Dangers
Earlier this month, a deadly accident in Florida exposed the risks of lax enforcement. Officials confirmed the driver responsible, a man from India in the U.S. illegally, failed English and traffic assessments when questioned. The incident highlighted what Trump and Rubio have been warning for months: America cannot gamble with lives on the highway.
Trump’s Executive Order Protects Truckers
In April, President Trump signed an executive order directing Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to enforce English language requirements and commonsense safety rules for all CDL holders. While these rules have existed for years, previous administrations barely enforced them—leaving Americans at risk.
The ATA thanked Trump directly, saying his leadership addressed their concerns about the “uneven application” of safety laws. Secretary Duffy has also launched a nationwide audit of states issuing non-domiciled CDLs, making sure only legal, qualified drivers get behind the wheel of America’s trucks.
“Secretary Duffy explained that the audit is designed to keep families safe on America’s highways while preserving the credibility of commercial driver’s licenses. He stressed that every state is required to follow federal law, without exception.”
Foreign Drivers and the Trucker Shortage
Nearly 20 percent of America’s truckers are foreign-born, according to the National Association of Truck Stop Owners. While the U.S. is facing a shortage that could surpass 100,000 drivers by the end of the decade, industry leaders say importing unqualified foreign drivers is not the answer.
Chris Spear of the ATA stressed: “We need better enforcement of CDL standards and compliance from motor carriers. That’s the only way to keep unsafe, undocumented drivers off our highways.”
Trump’s Leadership Delivers Results
A State Department spokesperson confirmed the visa pause affects H-2B, E-2, and EB-3 visa applicants. The policy will remain in place while the Departments of State, Labor, and Homeland Security strengthen their screening protocols.
Trump’s decisive leadership—paired with Rubio’s announcement—is a clear win for America’s truckers and the millions of families who depend on safe highways and reliable supply chains.
The Bottom Line
With President Trump at the helm, America is once again prioritizing safety, sovereignty, and American jobs. Truckers across the country now have champions in Washington ensuring that the industry stays strong, secure, and American-led.
