Trump is cracking down on foreign 18-wheel truck drivers who cant speak English

[Mac-7]

But thats not all

His administration is weeding out fly-by-night foreign trucking companies and states that allow them to operate

 

[Manonthestreet]

I know where a lot of rattle traps are parked. . Fenders ripped of ....rolling junk

 

[JoeB131]

But thats not all

His administration is weeding out fly-by-night foreign trucking companies and states that allow them to operate

Um, okay.

We already have a trucking shortage in this country, let's make that situation worse.

Addressing the U.S. Truck Driver Shortage: The Role of Foreign-Born Drivers, Visa Policy, and Supply Chain Impacts - National Immigration Forum

Update: A new federal rule that took effect on March 16, 2026, prohibits asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients from obtaining or renewing commercial driver’s licenses,meaning existing licenses will expire without renewal and potentially remove up to 200,000 drivers from the workforce...

forumtogether.org

The United States depends on its trucking workforce to keep goods moving across the country. According to the American Trucking Associations’ trends report, trucks moved 11.27 billion tons of freight in 2024, accounting for 67% of surface trade between the U.S. and Canada, making the industry an indispensable part of the economy. Yet the sector faces a persistent and growing shortage of truck drivers. In 2025, industry estimates placed the gap at between 60,000 and 80,000 drivers. This shortage has significant implications for supply chains and could lead to inflationary pressure.

Foreign-born drivers have been instrumental in addressing these labor gaps, accounting for nearly one in six U.S. truck drivers. However, recent policy changes — including the U.S. Department of State’s pause on visa issuance for foreign-born commercial drivers and an executive order mandating changes to the government’s guidance on English language proficiency for truck drivers — threaten to worsen the shortage.

The U.S. trucking industry has long benefited from immigrant labor. Between 2000 and 2021, the number of foreign-born truckers more than doubled, rising from 316,000 to over 720,000 drivers. Today, about 18% of U.S. truck drivers are foreign-born. These workers not only fill labor shortages but also bring critical skills and experience, often acquired in their countries of origin. Their contributions are especially visible in long-haul and regional freight sectors, which face higher turnover and recruitment challenges.

Foreign-born truckers play an outsized role in stabilizing supply chains. With an aging workforce — the average age of drivers of heavy trucks is 47 — and declining interest from younger workers, the industry increasingly relies on immigrant drivers to meet demand. In some regions, particularly along the southern border and in metropolitan areas, immigrant drivers represent an even larger share of the trucking workforce. Without them, existing supply chain bottlenecks are likely to become even more severe.

 

[initforme]

Dont we have a huge surplus of truck drivers?

 

[JoeB131]

Dont we have a huge surplus of truck drivers?

Oh, heavens no.

I remember this was a problem as far back as the 1990s. Worked for a company that only had three operating trucks and we couldn't give any of those guys a week off.

One guy they hired was a Russian who barely spoke any English. He lasted about a week.

 

[initforme]

Oh, heavens no.

I remember this was a problem as far back as the 1990s. Worked for a company that only had three operating trucks and we couldn't give any of those guys a week off.

One guy they hired was a Russian who barely spoke any English. He lasted about a week.

Its a brutal job. Awful on the body. Those people should get a full pension after 15 years.

 

[JoeB131]

Its a brutal job. Awful on the body. Those people should get a full pension after 15 years.

I remember Ray from Cleveland used to complain constantly about his physical ailments.

While I don't entirely disagree with you, the system can barely afford to pay good wages to truckers now. That's why they have 18% foreign born in their ranks.

 

[martybegan]

Um, okay.

We already have a trucking shortage in this country, let's make that situation worse.

Addressing the U.S. Truck Driver Shortage: The Role of Foreign-Born Drivers, Visa Policy, and Supply Chain Impacts - National Immigration Forum

Update: A new federal rule that took effect on March 16, 2026, prohibits asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients from obtaining or renewing commercial driver’s licenses,meaning existing licenses will expire without renewal and potentially remove up to 200,000 drivers from the workforce...

forumtogether.org

The United States depends on its trucking workforce to keep goods moving across the country. According to the American Trucking Associations’ trends report, trucks moved 11.27 billion tons of freight in 2024, accounting for 67% of surface trade between the U.S. and Canada, making the industry an indispensable part of the economy. Yet the sector faces a persistent and growing shortage of truck drivers. In 2025, industry estimates placed the gap at between 60,000 and 80,000 drivers. This shortage has significant implications for supply chains and could lead to inflationary pressure.

Foreign-born drivers have been instrumental in addressing these labor gaps, accounting for nearly one in six U.S. truck drivers. However, recent policy changes — including the U.S. Department of State’s pause on visa issuance for foreign-born commercial drivers and an executive order mandating changes to the government’s guidance on English language proficiency for truck drivers — threaten to worsen the shortage.

The U.S. trucking industry has long benefited from immigrant labor. Between 2000 and 2021, the number of foreign-born truckers more than doubled, rising from 316,000 to over 720,000 drivers. Today, about 18% of U.S. truck drivers are foreign-born. These workers not only fill labor shortages but also bring critical skills and experience, often acquired in their countries of origin. Their contributions are especially visible in long-haul and regional freight sectors, which face higher turnover and recruitment challenges.

Foreign-born truckers play an outsized role in stabilizing supply chains. With an aging workforce — the average age of drivers of heavy trucks is 47 — and declining interest from younger workers, the industry increasingly relies on immigrant drivers to meet demand. In some regions, particularly along the southern border and in metropolitan areas, immigrant drivers represent an even larger share of the trucking workforce. Without them, existing supply chain bottlenecks are likely to become even more severe.

The market will correct itself. Illegals were an outside corruption of said market.

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

Oh, heavens no.

I remember this was a problem as far back as the 1990s. Worked for a company that only had three operating trucks and we couldn't give any of those guys a week off.

One guy they hired was a Russian who barely spoke any English. He lasted about a week.

 

[Mac-7]

Um, okay.

We already have a trucking shortage in this country, let's make that situation worse.

Addressing the U.S. Truck Driver Shortage: The Role of Foreign-Born Drivers, Visa Policy, and Supply Chain Impacts - National Immigration Forum

Update: A new federal rule that took effect on March 16, 2026, prohibits asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients from obtaining or renewing commercial driver’s licenses,meaning existing licenses will expire without renewal and potentially remove up to 200,000 drivers from the workforce...

forumtogether.org

The United States depends on its trucking workforce to keep goods moving across the country. According to the American Trucking Associations’ trends report, trucks moved 11.27 billion tons of freight in 2024, accounting for 67% of surface trade between the U.S. and Canada, making the industry an indispensable part of the economy. Yet the sector faces a persistent and growing shortage of truck drivers. In 2025, industry estimates placed the gap at between 60,000 and 80,000 drivers. This shortage has significant implications for supply chains and could lead to inflationary pressure.

Foreign-born drivers have been instrumental in addressing these labor gaps, accounting for nearly one in six U.S. truck drivers. However, recent policy changes — including the U.S. Department of State’s pause on visa issuance for foreign-born commercial drivers and an executive order mandating changes to the government’s guidance on English language proficiency for truck drivers — threaten to worsen the shortage.

The U.S. trucking industry has long benefited from immigrant labor. Between 2000 and 2021, the number of foreign-born truckers more than doubled, rising from 316,000 to over 720,000 drivers. Today, about 18% of U.S. truck drivers are foreign-born. These workers not only fill labor shortages but also bring critical skills and experience, often acquired in their countries of origin. Their contributions are especially visible in long-haul and regional freight sectors, which face higher turnover and recruitment challenges.

Foreign-born truckers play an outsized role in stabilizing supply chains. With an aging workforce — the average age of drivers of heavy trucks is 47 — and declining interest from younger workers, the industry increasingly relies on immigrant drivers to meet demand. In some regions, particularly along the southern border and in metropolitan areas, immigrant drivers represent an even larger share of the trucking workforce. Without them, existing supply chain bottlenecks are likely to become even more severe.

I can stand a temporary truck driver shortage while the illegal and illiterate migrants are purged from the system

Yes American drivers will be paid more money than the foreign scabs

And those costs will be passed along to me

But unlike libs I dont approve of the slave labor that comes with lower prices

 

[JoeB131]

The market will correct itself. Illegals were an outside corruption of said market.

How is the market going to "Correct itself" by getting rid of up to 18% of the workforce?

 

[initforme]

I can stand a temporary truck driver shortage while the illegal and illiterate migrants are purged from the system

Yes American drivers will be paid more money than the foreign scabs

And those costs will be passed along to me

But unlike libs I dont approve of the slave labor that comes with lower prices

Do we really need more though? Seems like they're everywhere on the highway. There should also be nobody driving longer than 8 hours per day.

 

[martybegan]

How is the market going to "Correct itself" by getting rid of up to 18% of the workforce?

By taking people from other areas of the workforce, or the unemployed.

 

[Cellblock2429]

Um, okay.

We already have a trucking shortage in this country, let's make that situation worse.

Addressing the U.S. Truck Driver Shortage: The Role of Foreign-Born Drivers, Visa Policy, and Supply Chain Impacts - National Immigration Forum

Update: A new federal rule that took effect on March 16, 2026, prohibits asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients from obtaining or renewing commercial driver’s licenses,meaning existing licenses will expire without renewal and potentially remove up to 200,000 drivers from the workforce...

forumtogether.org

The United States depends on its trucking workforce to keep goods moving across the country. According to the American Trucking Associations’ trends report, trucks moved 11.27 billion tons of freight in 2024, accounting for 67% of surface trade between the U.S. and Canada, making the industry an indispensable part of the economy. Yet the sector faces a persistent and growing shortage of truck drivers. In 2025, industry estimates placed the gap at between 60,000 and 80,000 drivers. This shortage has significant implications for supply chains and could lead to inflationary pressure.

Foreign-born drivers have been instrumental in addressing these labor gaps, accounting for nearly one in six U.S. truck drivers. However, recent policy changes — including the U.S. Department of State’s pause on visa issuance for foreign-born commercial drivers and an executive order mandating changes to the government’s guidance on English language proficiency for truck drivers — threaten to worsen the shortage.

The U.S. trucking industry has long benefited from immigrant labor. Between 2000 and 2021, the number of foreign-born truckers more than doubled, rising from 316,000 to over 720,000 drivers. Today, about 18% of U.S. truck drivers are foreign-born. These workers not only fill labor shortages but also bring critical skills and experience, often acquired in their countries of origin. Their contributions are especially visible in long-haul and regional freight sectors, which face higher turnover and recruitment challenges.

Foreign-born truckers play an outsized role in stabilizing supply chains. With an aging workforce — the average age of drivers of heavy trucks is 47 — and declining interest from younger workers, the industry increasingly relies on immigrant drivers to meet demand. In some regions, particularly along the southern border and in metropolitan areas, immigrant drivers represent an even larger share of the trucking workforce. Without them, existing supply chain bottlenecks are likely to become even more severe.

/-----/ Until someone you love gets crushed by an 18-wheeler driven by an illegal who can't read or speak English.

 

[Mac-7]

How is the market going to "Correct itself" by getting rid of up to 18% of the workforce?

When the foreign scabs are gone legitimate and locally owned trucking companies will have to pay higher wages to US citizens

There is also the looming issue of self driving trucks, aka 18-wheel drones

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

How is the market going to "Correct itself" by getting rid of up to 18% of the workforce?

.

Translation -- "Democrats. We are still the party of slave owners."









.

 

[1srelluc]

All those people laid-off by AI/robots can learn to be truck drivers.

 

[jknowgood]

Um, okay.

We already have a trucking shortage in this country, let's make that situation worse.

Addressing the U.S. Truck Driver Shortage: The Role of Foreign-Born Drivers, Visa Policy, and Supply Chain Impacts - National Immigration Forum

Update: A new federal rule that took effect on March 16, 2026, prohibits asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients from obtaining or renewing commercial driver’s licenses,meaning existing licenses will expire without renewal and potentially remove up to 200,000 drivers from the workforce...

forumtogether.org

The United States depends on its trucking workforce to keep goods moving across the country. According to the American Trucking Associations’ trends report, trucks moved 11.27 billion tons of freight in 2024, accounting for 67% of surface trade between the U.S. and Canada, making the industry an indispensable part of the economy. Yet the sector faces a persistent and growing shortage of truck drivers. In 2025, industry estimates placed the gap at between 60,000 and 80,000 drivers. This shortage has significant implications for supply chains and could lead to inflationary pressure.

Foreign-born drivers have been instrumental in addressing these labor gaps, accounting for nearly one in six U.S. truck drivers. However, recent policy changes — including the U.S. Department of State’s pause on visa issuance for foreign-born commercial drivers and an executive order mandating changes to the government’s guidance on English language proficiency for truck drivers — threaten to worsen the shortage.

The U.S. trucking industry has long benefited from immigrant labor. Between 2000 and 2021, the number of foreign-born truckers more than doubled, rising from 316,000 to over 720,000 drivers. Today, about 18% of U.S. truck drivers are foreign-born. These workers not only fill labor shortages but also bring critical skills and experience, often acquired in their countries of origin. Their contributions are especially visible in long-haul and regional freight sectors, which face higher turnover and recruitment challenges.

Foreign-born truckers play an outsized role in stabilizing supply chains. With an aging workforce — the average age of drivers of heavy trucks is 47 — and declining interest from younger workers, the industry increasingly relies on immigrant drivers to meet demand. In some regions, particularly along the southern border and in metropolitan areas, immigrant drivers represent an even larger share of the trucking workforce. Without them, existing supply chain bottlenecks are likely to become even more severe.

So you want people that cannot read road signs driving 18 wheelers?

 

[Manonthestreet]

I remember Ray from Cleveland used to complain constantly about his physical ailments.

While I don't entirely disagree with you, the system can barely afford to pay good wages to truckers now. That's why they have 18% foreign born in their ranks.

Bs. Those low wage outfits could pay....they either don't want to or don't charge enough. DOT needs to get on the road with a heavy presence..

 

[JoeB131]

By taking people from other areas of the workforce, or the unemployed.

They can't get those people now.

Again, 60,000 truck drivers short from what the economy needs.