Up to 200,000 immigrant truck drivers could begin losing their commercial driver's licenses as they expire under a new Trump administration rule, a change that could affect roughly 5% of all CDL holders in the United States and add pressure to an industry already struggling with turnover and rising costs.
The rule, issued by the Transportation Department, bars asylum seekers, refugees and recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, from obtaining commercial driver's licenses, even if they are authorized to work in the United States. Officials say the measure is aimed at improving road safety after several high-profile fatal crashes involving foreign-born drivers.
