A new executive order signed by President Donald Trump has sparked debate in the transportation industry by requiring all commercial vehicle drivers in the United States to demonstrate proficiency in the English language as a requirement to remain in service.
The decree does not introduce a new requirement; rather, it orders the strict enforcement of an existing federal regulation that requires commercial vehicle drivers to be able to read and speak English. According to the White House, previous administrations did not adequately enforce this requirement, which may have contributed to compromising road safety in the country.
The order directs the Department of Transportation to implement a language assessment that evaluates drivers' ability to read traffic signs and communicate with road safety officials, the Border Patrol, and agricultural checkpoints. Those who do not pass the exam may be removed from their duties.
Additionally, the decree mandates a review of the business licenses issued by the states, in search of possible irregularities or unusual patterns.
Concerns and division in the trucking sector
The measure has generated mixed reactions among truck drivers in South Florida. In statements to CBS News Miami, driver Russell Rocha, who has 17 years of experience, expressed his support for the initiative: “If you can't read or understand a sign, that is dangerous; it could affect all of us.”
However, other transporters see the regulation as an unwarranted threat. Yoman Rivera, a truck driver based in Miami with 15 years in the industry, stated that “it’s a horrible law” and warned that, although he has limitations with the language, he has never had problems understanding the signage or communicating with agents.
Sherry Fairchild, a conductor for six years, noted that it is still unclear how many workers will be forced to leave the industry. "It depends on how many people are affected and how many decide to leave for this reason," she commented.
Rivera also warned about the consequences for consumers: "The consumer is the one who will suffer," he noted, anticipating delays in deliveries if the availability of drivers decreases. Rocha agreed that there could be significant delays in distribution chains.
For its part, Telemundo 51 spoke with other truck drivers who expressed concern about the impact of the regulation. Miguel Campos stated that “it will indeed have an effect.” Hermes Durán noted that “it will bring its problems,” especially for those who do not speak English fluently, although they understand the essentials for safe operation.
Rigo Díaz, a road safety expert and president of the consulting firm Simplex Group, told the media that "it will create a crisis in transportation." According to his estimates, there are currently 70,000 vacancies in the industry that remain unfilled, and linking road safety to language proficiency would be a mistake: "You can have a driver who doesn't master English and still be a safe and professional driver."
Impact on the Cuban-American community
The Cuban-American community could be one of the most affected. It is estimated that between 20,000 and 25,000 truck drivers of Cuban origin are active in the United States, many of whom have limited proficiency in English. The requirement to pass an official test could represent an additional obstacle to their job stability.
One of the cases often cited as a reference is that of Rogel Lázaro Aguilera-Mederos, a Cuban truck driver who was convicted following a fatal accident in Colorado in 2019. Aguilera-Mederos needed an interpreter during his trial, and his company had been penalized for employing drivers who lacked sufficient command of the language.
Contradictions in the federal strategy
The executive order also highlights a contradiction in the transportation policy of the Trump administration. On one hand, the development of autonomous vehicles is promoted and regulations for their implementation are relaxed, while on the other, requirements for human drivers are tightened, which could hinder the technological transition.
The industry is thus facing a moment of uncertainty, in which thousands of drivers, especially immigrants with limited language skills, could see their position in a sector that has been crucial for their economic advancement threatened.
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