Exclusive: Four States Accused Of Continuing Race-Based DOT Policies Trump Eliminated
WILL alleges the states continue to employ state-based Minority Business Enterprise programs to achieve 'racial goals.'WILL alleges the states continue to employ state-based Minority Business Enterprise programs to achieve 'racial goals.'End of the road: 200,000 foreign truckers could lose their CDLs as Trump’s rule takes effect
Approximately 200,000 foreign truck drivers will no longer be able to renew their commercial driver’s licenses following the Department of Transportation’s final rule that took effect on Monday.
The DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced the final rule, “Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Drivers Licenses,” in February to prevent “unqualified foreign drivers” from operating big rigs and buses on American roadways.
‘Under President Trump’s leadership, we are putting the safety of the driving public first.’
A press release from the FMCSA noted that in 2025, non-domiciled drivers caused 17 fatal crashes and 30 deaths.
The announcement followed a nationwide audit that found “systemic non-compliance” in the issuance of non-domiciled CDLs in several states.
The final rule’s key provisions include limiting non-domiciled CDLs to foreign nationals with H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 visas. It also terminated Employment Authorization Documents as acceptable proof of eligibility. Additionally, it required state licensing agencies to verify the eligibility of foreign nationals through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system.
RELATED: Foreigners want to drive a big rig? They'll need more than work authorization papers, Duffy says.
Therefore, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, asylum seekers, Temporary Protected Status holders, and those relying solely on work authorization documents are no longer eligible to obtain a CDL.
Foreign nationals who no longer meet these qualifications may continue to drive as long as their current license remains valid. However, they will not be able to renew their licenses once they expire.
The Washington Post estimated that the final rule, which took effect on Monday, will impact about 200,000 CDL holders.
“For far too long, America has allowed dangerous foreign drivers to abuse our truck licensing systems — wreaking havoc on our roadways. This safety loophole ends today,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated during February’s announcement of the final rule. “Moving forward, unqualified foreign drivers will be unable to get a license to operate an 80,000-pound big rig. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are putting the safety of the driving public first. From enforcing English language standards to holding fraudulent carriers accountable, we will continue to attack this crisis on our roads head on.”
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California’s Dying Bullet Train Is A Preview Of A Newsom Presidency
California's high-speed rail project, approved in 2008 and under construction since 2015, is running out of money and time, while failing.‘Wild, Wild West’: Trump DOT moves to shut down 550+ ‘sham’ truck driver training schools after axing 6,500
The Department of Transportation has moved to shut down another 550 commercial driver's license schools amid a new focus on crashes involving foreign nationals with U.S. non-domiciled CDLs.
'For too long, the trucking industry has operated like the Wild, Wild West, where anything goes and nobody asks any questions.'
The DOT announced on February 18 that it discovered the "sham CDL training schools" violated the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's safety standards. The agency issued notices of proposed removal from the FMCSA's national training provider registry.
The DOT found that some noncompliant schools used fictitious addresses and employed unqualified instructors who lacked the necessary licenses and permits for the vehicles they were teaching students to drive. In other cases, these schools provided training with vehicles that were not appropriate for the instruction being offered. Some training providers even admitted to investigators that they failed to meet their state's requirements.
FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs said, "If a school isn't using the right vehicles or if their instructors aren't qualified, they have no business training the next generation of truckers or school bus drivers."
One of the schools on the DOT's proposed removal list reportedly provided training to school bus drivers.
The DOT informed Blaze News that these schools have not yet been closed, as they are still within the 30-day period to either provide evidence of compliance with federal safety standards or indicate their intention to complete the corrective actions specified by the FMCSA. However, the agency stated that it has already closed 6,500 CDL training schools.
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The findings resulted from the FMCSA mobilizing over 300 investigators and conducting more than 1,400 on-site sting operations over five days. While 448 schools were issued a notice of proposed removal, 109 training providers voluntarily removed themselves from the FMCSA's Training Provider Registry.
An additional 97 training schools remain under investigation for similar alleged violations.
"For too long, the trucking industry has operated like the Wild, Wild West, where anything goes and nobody asks any questions," DOT Secretary Sean Duffy stated. "The buck stops with me. Under President Trump, my team is cracking down on every link in the trucking chain that has allowed this lawlessness to impact the safety of America's roads. American families should have confidence that our school bus and truck drivers are following every letter of the law and that starts with receiving proper training before getting behind the wheel."
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'Couldn't read ... road signs': Video shows trucker driving the wrong direction on highway — Sec. Duffy responds
According to a recent video that surfaced on Wednesday, a Missouri driver found himself near a truck driver who was driving on the wrong side of the highway — reportedly for several miles.
X user MolonLabeBTC posted a series of short videos on Wednesday detailing his experience. The first video clearly shows a semi-truck driving into oncoming traffic from the opposite direction.
'We have learned that a truck driver with a Minnesota CDL who couldn't read basic road signs spent MILES driving the wrong way in an 80 TON truck!'
"Eighteen-wheeler going the wrong way down southbound 61. He is on the northbound lanes of 61, going the wrong way," a man can be heard saying in the video. The post reported that the video was captured about five miles north of Troy, just outside St. Louis.
The X user claimed in the caption to the first video that the trucker "nearly hit me head on before I pulled over to my left."
RELATED: Foreigners want to drive a big rig? They'll need more than work authorization papers, Duffy says
He added that the driver was "driving southbound in the northbound lane for about 3 miles." The driver eventually swung over onto the correct side of the highway. The truck appears to have eventually been pulled over by a state trooper.
The user uploaded several more videos of the person he identified as the truck driver. The suspect took out his own phone camera and began filming in return when he realized he was being filmed.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the incident, saying, "DISTURBING: We have learned that a truck driver with a Minnesota CDL who couldn't read basic road signs spent MILES driving the wrong way in an 80 TON truck! Thanks to Missouri law enforcement, this dangerous trucker is now out of service."
Secretary Duffy added that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is investigating the alleged carrier, Cargo Transportation LLC.
Blaze News was able to locate a Cargo Transportation LLC registered in Minnesota on the FMCSA registration portal. The USDOT number also appears to match the number on the side panel of the semi-truck in the MolonLabeBTC videos.
According to information that was current as of Wednesday, the USDOT status was listed as "active."
The physical address listed for this business also appears to be in an apartment complex, which is legal, but operators must be able to prove that it is the principal place of operations. According to FMCSA, "A motor carrier may designate as its principal place of business only locations that contain offices of the motor carrier's senior-most management executives, management officials or employees responsible for the administration, management and oversight of safety operations and compliance."
Blaze News left a message at the phone number listed in the company's registration page. Blaze News also reached out to the Missouri Highway Patrol.
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Trump is getting the job done for American truckers
The Trump administration recently demonstrated once again its commitment to truckers by tightening commercial driver licensing standards, securing critical investments in truck parking, and advancing a practical environmental regulatory approach that doesn’t undermine the supply chain.
These actions reflect the White House's continued commitment to making our roads safer and promoting a healthier, more successful trucking industry. President Trump, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Derek Barrs should be commended for advancing policies that enhance safety and keep freight moving.
We need strong, uniform standards to ensure that drivers of 80,000-pound vehicles are legally authorized, properly trained, and proficient in English.
A new rule from FMCSA cracks down on the issuance of non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses — often given to foreign nationals working under temporary U.S. work authorization. This rule plugs the gaps that allow unqualified drivers to operate commercial motor vehicles, putting American motorists at risk.
Just look at the tragic crash in Indiana earlier this month, when a semi-truck driven by a Kyrgyz national failed to brake for slowing traffic, veered into oncoming lanes, and smashed into a passenger van, killing four people. It is just one example of the devastating consequences of allowing unvetted drivers on our roads. To that end, the Transportation Department has identified significant gaps in oversight and inconsistencies in how some states issue commercial credentials, and continued scrutiny is essential.
The overwhelming majority of trucking companies operate responsibly, invest heavily in compliance and training, and prioritize safety. They deserve a regulatory framework that rewards professionalism — not one that tolerates fraud, sham training operations, or unsafe practices.
We need strong, uniform standards to ensure that drivers of 80,000-pound vehicles are legally authorized, properly trained, and proficient in English so they can communicate effectively. Secretary Duffy has shown a commitment to making that a reality.
RELATED: Foreigners want to drive a big rig? They’ll need more than work authorization papers, Duffy says.
After years of our industry sounding the alarm, Congress this month secured $200 million in dedicated federal funding for truck parking, the first time in history such funding has been specifically allocated. The White House signing this funding allocation into law is a transformational win for highway safety and for America’s professional drivers.
Truck parking may seem like a niche issue, but for professional drivers, it is a matter of safety, health, and dignity. Every day, drivers struggle to find legal, secure spaces to take federally mandated rest breaks, often losing hours of productivity and risking unsafe parking on shoulders or ramps. Expanding truck parking capacity will ensure a better quality of life for the drivers who keep our economy moving.
At the same time, the White House rightly rescinded the Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding, a disastrous Biden administration de facto electric truck mandate that threatened the viability of our industry. Zero-emission technology simply isn’t a reality right now. The trucks are too expensive, charging infrastructure is inadequate, and grid capacity remains a serious constraint. Forcing premature mandates would have disrupted supply chains without delivering any real results.
America depends on trucking. The Trump administration’s decisive leadership and unwavering enforcement of safety standards will ensure we continue delivering for this country safely and reliably for generations to come.
Foreigners want to drive a big rig? They'll need more than work authorization papers, Duffy says.
Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy took action on Wednesday to prevent unqualified foreign drivers from operating semi-trucks. This decision comes in response to several fatal crashes involving non-domiciled commercial driver's license holders, a situation that has gained national attention over the past year.
Duffy issued a final rule, "Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Drivers Licenses," which aims to close safety gaps in the issuance of CDLs to foreign drivers.
'For far too long, America has allowed dangerous foreign drivers to abuse our truck licensing systems — wreaking havoc on our roadways. This safety loophole ends today.'
Perhaps the most significant provision of the DOT's final rule eliminates the reliance on Employment Authorization Documents to demonstrate eligibility for non-domiciled CDLs, which the agency notes had led to "widespread regulatory non-compliance." Instead, applicants will be required to present a foreign passport or Form I-94 documentation.
"While U.S. drivers are subject to strict checks through national databases for past violations — such as DUIs, reckless driving, or crash involvement — states lack the ability to access the driving records of foreigners and illegal immigrants. This loophole allowed individuals with dangerous driving histories to obtain a trucking license simply by presenting an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which does not screen for transportation safety," a DOT press release states.
Another key condition of the final rule is a restriction on eligibility that requires foreign nationals to hold H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visas, which are temporary non-immigrant visas for workers and treaty investors. These visa holders, while eligible to receive a non-domiciled CDL, must undergo enhanced interagency vetting.
Additionally, state driver's licensing agencies will be required to confirm every applicant's immigration status via the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system.
"For far too long, America has allowed dangerous foreign drivers to abuse our truck licensing systems — wreaking havoc on our roadways. This safety loophole ends today," Duffy said. "Moving forward, unqualified foreign drivers will be unable to get a license to operate an 80,000-pound big rig. Under President Trump's leadership, we are putting the safety of the driving public first. From enforcing English language standards to holding fraudulent carriers accountable, we will continue to attack this crisis on our roads head-on."
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator Derek Barrs stated, "If we cannot verify your safe driving history, you cannot hold a CDL in this country."
"At least 17 fatal crashes and 30 deaths in 2025 alone were caused by non-domiciled drivers who will now be ineligible to get a license," the DOT stated.
RELATED: Trucker accused of killing 4 Amish men — and DHS claims he's an 'illegal alien'
California has repeatedly leaned on EADs to defend its issuance of CDLs to foreign nationals who were involved in fatal accidents.
In October, Jashanpreet Singh, a 21-year-old Indian national with a California CDL despite being in the United States illegally, was involved in a collision on the I-10 freeway that resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including a high school basketball coach and his wife.
"The FEDERAL government approves and renews all FEDERAL employment authorization documents that allows individuals to work and obtain commercial driver's licenses," the California State Transportation Agency stated.
In August, Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old Indian national who also obtained his CDL in California, was accused of causing a crash that killed three people in Florida. California Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom's office similarly blamed the federal government, again citing the driver's work permit.
"Hey, Commander Cosplay," the office wrote, referring to President Donald Trump, "the federal government (YOU) already confirmed that this guy meets federal and state immigration requirements — YOU issued him a work permit (EAD). Oops."
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Trucker accused of killing 4 Amish men — and DHS claims he's an 'illegal alien'
A Kyrgyzstani semi-truck driver is in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody following a collision that caused the death of multiple individuals.
Around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Bekzhan Beishekeev, 30, was driving east on State Road 67 in Indiana when his truck collided head-on with a van, killing four of the vehicle's occupants.
'Beishekeev illegally came to the United States using the Biden administration's disastrous CBP One app and was released into the United States.'
Beishekeev was accused of failing to slow down for another semi-truck in front of him and swerving into oncoming traffic.
The collision killed Henry Eicher, 50; his two sons, Menno Eicher, 25, and Paul Eicher, 19; and a family friend, Simon Girod, 23, FreightWaves reported. The men belonged to Bryant, Indiana's Amish community. The van's driver, Donald Stipp, 55, reportedly underwent surgery and is in stable condition.
The Department of Homeland Security, which referred to Beishekeev as an "illegal alien," stated that the truck driver crashed into a van "carrying up to 15 passengers."
Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated on Thursday that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration was conducting an on-site investigation of the carrier that hired Beishekeev.
"There MUST be accountability for the community of Bryant, Indiana, who are devastated by the loss of their loved ones," Duffy declared. "I will continue to demand we shine a spotlight on these preventable tragedies and pray for the beautiful Amish community."
RELATED: Illegal alien truckers with California licenses accused of hauling $7M in cocaine across state lines
Beishekeev is a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, according to the Indiana State Police. He entered the United States on December 19, 2024, in Nogales, Arizona, by using the Biden administration CBP One cellphone app.
"Beishekeev illegally came to the United States using the Biden administration's disastrous CBP One app and was released into the United States. Even worse, Josh Shapiro's Pennsylvania issued him a commercial driver's license," the DHS wrote. "Sanctuary politicians must STOP issuing commercial driver's licenses to illegal aliens before another American is killed."
RELATED: 'Slow-walking' safety? Trump DOT threatens to yank $24M over Colorado's illegal CDL mess.
Gov. Shapiro argued that Beishekeev had legal status.
“Every person who applies for a non-domiciled commercial driver’s license issued by PennDOT must provide proof of identify and proof of their legal presence in the United States. That information is verified by the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database, administered by Kristi Noem and the United States Department of Homeland Security,” a spokesperson for Shapiro told Fox News.
"The individual in question had legal status in Kristi Noem’s database when the license was issued in July 2025 and still shows as eligible to receive a license as of today. Kristi Noem should focus on minding the shop in her own agency, as her incompetence and operational failures seem to be matching the scale of her moral failures as the Secretary of Homeland Security," the spokesperson added.
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