The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced on Tuesday that approximately 7,000 commercial driver’s licenses have been revoked under newly reinstated federal English proficiency standards.

These drivers were found to be unable or unwilling to meet the requirements set by the Trump administration, which states that proper English ability is essential for understanding road signs and ensuring highway safety. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy explained that since May, about 7,250 commercial drivers have been taken out of service after failing these standards.

Duffy specifically mentioned two recent fatal accidents involving undocumented immigrants driving trucks as key reasons behind this enforcement action:

1. One accident in California involved an immigrant from India who prosecutors allege caused a DUI crash resulting in three deaths and multiple injuries.
2. An earlier incident in Indiana, also involving an illegal alien driver of a commercial vehicle.

“These people deserve justice,” said Noem Administration official Tricia McLaughlin regarding the California case. “ICE is working day-in and day-out to make America’s roads safe again.”

American Truckers United co-founders Harvey Beech and Shannon Everett emphasized their frustration with previous attempts to lower licensing standards, describing it as a driver shortage exploited by reducing requirements for CDL issuance.

“We have been complaining about the foreign invasion of our industry,” said Everett. “This has really exploded over the last five years.”

The administration maintains that these measures are necessary to protect American lives on the road.