We need to put America’s truckers first

Published Date: October 21, 2025 | Villages-News

President Trump is once again putting American workers first – this time cracking down on the abuse of commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) issued to illegal immigrants. Out of roughly 3.5 million truck drivers carrying a CDL recent studies show nearly 200,000 of these licenses were issued by state governments to individuals who are not residents of their state. These are typically foreign nationals.

Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued new guidance that non-citizens who wish to obtain a nondomiciled CDL must undergo a federal immigration status check and have an employment-based visa. This is in addition to President Trump’s directive to ensure sufficient English language proficiency. Florida has experienced firsthand the tragedy that can result when a truck is operated by a driver who cannot understand basic English road signs. In August, a truck driver made an illegal turn on Florida’s Turnpike causing a car accident that killed three people. An investigation found the driver couldn’t interpret basic road signs.

America’s truckers work every day, away from their families to transport and deliver goods that keep our economy running. These decisive actions not only protect the safety of our roads and highways but protect hardworking American truckers from being undercut by cheap foreign labor.

Congressman Daniel Webster represents The Villages in the U.S. House of Representatives.