Unlawful, Unqualified, and Behind the Wheel

Written by David E. Smith

A disturbing reality is finally being exposed: thousands of illegal immigrants have been operating commercial vehicles on American roads—often without proper training, without English proficiency, and in violation of federal law.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently announced that more than 9,500 commercial truck drivers have been taken out of service nationwide after failing federally required English-language proficiency checks. This followed new enforcement guidance strengthening long-standing rules that require commercial drivers to read, speak, and understand English—a basic safety necessity when navigating traffic signs, emergency instructions, and law-enforcement encounters.

This isn’t about politics. It’s about safety.

Under the previous administration, inspectors were instructed to issue citations—but not remove drivers from service—even when they failed English requirements. President Donald Trump reversed that dangerous policy, declaring English the official language of the United States and directing full enforcement of commercial driver safety laws. As Duffy put it plainly:

America First means safety first.

What enforcement has uncovered is alarming.

Federal audits revealed a “catastrophic pattern” of states issuing CDLs illegally to foreign nationals, with California identified as the worst offender. Illinois is not innocent. Reports show that CDLs issued in Illinois have been found in the hands of illegal foreign nationals arrested in multi-state enforcement operations—many unable to speak English and some with serious criminal histories.

In Oklahoma, Indiana, Texas, and New York, coordinated operations between state police and ICE have led to hundreds of arrests of illegal immigrants operating commercial vehicles. Some had convictions for DUI, human smuggling, drug trafficking, assault, and illegal re-entry. Many were driving trucks weighing up to 80,000 pounds on America’s highways.

Let that sink in.

This is not compassionate. It is reckless.

Illinois truckers are right to support a federal pause on so-called “non-domiciled” CDLs, and Illinois policymakers should follow suit. Allowing unqualified, unlawfully present individuals to operate massive commercial vehicles endangers truckers, families, and everyone sharing the road.

Enforcing the law is not extremism. It is common sense—and it is long overdue.