Move forms part of wider immigration enforcement policy and could affect thousands of foreign drivers, including Indians, working in the US logistics sector.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has revoked the commercial driving licences of more than 28,000 immigrant truck drivers as part of a broader crackdown on immigration, while unveiling a new initiative to recruit military veterans to fill the resulting vacancies.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the measure is intended to strengthen road safety and prioritise employment opportunities for American citizens, particularly military veterans. The new programme is designed to encourage former service personnel with experience operating heavy vehicles to transition into commercial trucking roles.
-
The licence cancellations are expected to have a significant impact on the US trucking industry, which has long relied on immigrant workers to address labour shortages
-
Industry observers have warned that removing thousands of experienced drivers from the workforce could place additional pressure on freight movement and supply chains across the country
The decision is also likely to affect sections of the Indian community in the United States, where many immigrants have built careers in the transportation and logistics sector. While the administration has not released a country-wise breakdown of those affected, reports suggest Indian-origin drivers are among those who may face job losses or uncertainty over their employment status.
The latest action follows the administration’s tighter enforcement of commercial driving standards, including stricter English-language requirements and increased scrutiny of driver eligibility. Officials argue these measures are necessary to improve highway safety, while critics have expressed concern that they could deepen existing labour shortages in the trucking industry.
The policy marks another step in the Trump administration’s efforts to tighten immigration enforcement while promoting employment opportunities for US citizens and military veterans in key sectors of the economy.
