More foreign truck drivers are entering the U.S. workforce, with critics pointing to loosened regulations and government-backed hiring programs that are creating new risks on the road. A growing number of CDLs are being issued at a pace that outstrips training capacity, fueling concerns about whether safety standards are being sacrificed in favor of cheap labor.
The Biden administration recently approved nearly 65,000 additional visas for the trucking industry, a move that industry advocates say is designed to flood the market with lower-paid workers. These new hires come as many American truckers are already struggling with wage stagnation and declining job opportunities due to rising competition.
At 6:38 pm today on the @RodandGregShow on @1059KNRS – @GordMagill, an author and career trucker joins the show to discuss his piece for @theblaze in which he says foreign born truckers are depressing wages for American truckers and causing problems on the nation’s highways.
— The Rod and Greg Show (@RodandGregShow) March 12, 2025
Data shows that certain states have been issuing CDLs at an unusual rate, with Oregon alone adding nearly 100,000 new truckers in just one year — an increase so large it has raised concerns about whether proper training and vetting are taking place. In South Carolina, the number of new CDLs issued in 2021 was more than 40 times the usual yearly average.
Incidents involving foreign-born truck drivers have also been rising. Several fatal crashes over the past year have involved truckers who required court translators, lacked proper credentials, or were operating without the ability to communicate with law enforcement.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s past requirement for English proficiency in CDL testing has not been enforced in years, making it easier for non-native speakers to enter the workforce without meeting previous language standards.
Beyond safety, new policies at the state level are making it even easier for foreign drivers to obtain CDLs. Arkansas recently removed residency requirements for CDL applicants, allowing individuals with learner’s permits from other countries to qualify for trucking jobs in the state.
Meanwhile, trucking fraud is on the rise. Reports of cargo theft and freight scams have increased in recent years, with many cases linked to new or unverified trucking operations taking advantage of weakened regulations.
