.jpg)
The Trump administration has significantly tightened regulations for non-citizen commercial drivers, framing the move as a critical roadway safety initiative.
The crackdown reached a major milestone on February 11, 2026, when the FMCSA finalized a rule that codifies these restrictions into federal law.
Key Changes to Licensing
The new regulations fundamentally change who can operate a heavy commercial vehicle (an "80,000-pound big rig"):
Restricted Eligibility: CDLs are now limited primarily to specific work visa holders (H-2A, H-2B, and E-2).
Work Permits No Longer Accepted: The administration has ended the practice of using Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) as proof of eligibility.
Officials argue EADs do not allow states to verify a driver's historical safety record in their home country. English Proficiency Mandate: Since May 2025, the DOT has ramped up enforcement of English-language requirements.
Drivers who cannot demonstrate proficiency during inspections are being placed "out-of-service." Mandatory Status Verification: State licensing agencies must now use the SAVE system to confirm every applicant's lawful immigration status before issuing or renewing a license.
Impact Across the Country
The administration has utilized audits to pressure states into compliance, often threatening to withhold federal highway funding.
California: Perhaps the hardest hit, the state was forced to rescind approximately 17,000 licenses after a federal audit found they were issued to ineligible drivers.
Projections suggest up to 61,000 drivers in California alone could eventually lose their ability to drive. State Audits: The DOT conducted a nationwide audit, flagging "violations" in states like Texas, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington, and Colorado.
Sikh Community: Industry reports indicate the Sikh community has been disproportionately affected, as they represent a significant portion of the immigrant trucking workforce in several Western states.
Arguments and Criticisms
The administration justifies the move by citing at least 17 fatal crashes and 30 deaths in 2025 involving non-domiciled drivers whose backgrounds could not be fully vetted.
Critics and labor advocates, however, argue the "crackdown" is a politically motivated effort to sideline immigrant workers. They point out that:
The number of crashes cited represents a tiny fraction of total annual truck fatalities.
The sudden removal of tens of thousands of drivers could trigger a "capacity crunch" in the supply chain, potentially raising shipping costs for consumers.