Trump REVERSES Decision – Enforces English!

President Trump’s order restoring English proficiency requirements for truck drivers has sparked immediate controversy, with some Spanish-speaking drivers already putting their trucks up for sale while safety advocates applaud the move.

At a Glance

• Trump’s executive order enforces existing federal law requiring commercial drivers to read and speak English sufficiently
• The Cuban-American community, with an estimated 20,000-25,000 truck drivers in the US, could be significantly impacted
• Industry critics claim the enforcement will worsen driver shortages, while advocates cite critical safety concerns
• Drivers who fail to demonstrate English proficiency will be placed “out-of-service”
• The order reinstates protocols abandoned during the Obama administration in 2016

Safety Requirements vs. Driver Shortage Concerns

The executive order signed by President Trump reinforces a long-standing federal requirement that commercial vehicle operators must “read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records.” The order directs the Department of Transportation to rescind previous guidance that relaxed enforcement of this requirement and establishes new procedures to ensure compliance.

Drivers found to have insufficient English proficiency will be placed out-of-service, effectively preventing them from continuing their operations. The measure has immediately impacted the industry, with reports of Spanish-speaking drivers already putting their vehicles up for sale rather than risk failing the proficiency requirements. Critics argue the policy could exacerbate existing challenges in the trucking sector, where workforce shortages have been a persistent issue.

Impact on Cuban-American Drivers

The Cuban-American community stands to be particularly affected by this policy enforcement. With an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 Cuban-American truck drivers operating across the United States, many with limited English proficiency, the community faces significant potential job losses. This demographic represents a substantial portion of the approximately 10% of U.S. truck drivers who do not speak English proficiently, according to industry reports.

“The Cuban-American community could be one of the most affected,” said a report from En.Cibercuba.com. 

The impact extends beyond Cuban-Americans to the broader Hispanic trucking community, with Spanish-language media reporting growing anxiety among drivers. One driver expressed his concerns to CBS Miami, stating that “it is an awful law,” and noted that many colleagues were already listing their trucks for sale rather than risk losing their livelihoods through enforcement actions.

Divided Industry Responses

Industry reactions have been sharply divided along political and practical lines. Critics like Rigto Dia, CEO of Simplex Group, have characterized the enforcement as “political propaganda” that could create a crisis in an industry already facing a shortage of drivers. They argue that the focus should be on improving wages and working conditions rather than implementing policies that could further reduce the driver pool.

Conversely, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has voiced support for the measures, emphasizing that English proficiency is fundamental to highway safety. The association points out that drivers must be able to read road signs, understand emergency instructions, and communicate effectively with law enforcement, first responders, and the general public in emergency situations. The executive order also directs the Secretary of Transportation to identify actions that would improve working conditions for truck drivers, addressing some industry concerns.