Trump's Executive Order Mandates English Proficiency for Truck Drivers

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order mandating that all U.S. truck drivers must demonstrate English proficiency, citing safety and regulatory consistency as primary motivations. The order directs the Department of Transportation to enhance enforcement of existing federal law, including placing non-compliant drivers out of service and reviewing state licensing practices. Supporters, such as the American Trucking Associations, argue this will improve safety and standardize enforcement, while critics and advocacy groups, including the Sikh Coalition, warn the order could disproportionately impact immigrant communities and create employment barriers. The move has sparked debate, with some calling it a necessary common-sense measure and others decrying it as discriminatory and short-sighted, raising questions about implementation and potential legal challenges. The executive order follows a separate action by Trump designating English as the official language of the United States, both of which have reignited longstanding discussions about language policy and integration in America. Despite the controversy, the English proficiency requirement for commercial drivers has been federal law since 1937, though enforcement has varied in recent years.