In a coordinated effort announced in Detroit, the Trump administration ordered the immediate shutdown of 260 trucking schools that were found to be certifying drivers without meeting federal English language proficiency requirements. The action targets 110 schools linked to more than 5,000 drivers who failed the required tests, plus an additional 150 schools operating without proper licensing or adequate training facilities.
Federal officials detail the crackdown
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin led the press conference, joined by U.S. attorneys from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. They explained that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) compared roadside inspection records with the Training Provider Registry to pinpoint schools repeatedly issuing licenses to drivers who did not meet the English Language Proficiency standards.
“A lot of the licenses unlawfully issued come from California, New York, and a lot from Illinois,” Duffy said, noting that many violations also occur throughout the Midwest.
Sanctuary jurisdictions singled out
Secretary Mullin warned that sanctuary cities and states do not shield illegal activity from federal law. “Regardless if you’re in a sanctuary city or sanctuary state, that doesn’t keep you from having to answer to the law,” he said.
New Joint Task Force to protect highways
The Department of Justice unveiled the Joint Task Force Crossroads of America, aimed at safeguarding the nation’s highway system and strengthening border security. The task force includes U.S. attorneys from the four Midwestern states involved in the sweep.
U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon of the Eastern District of Michigan highlighted that many foreign nationals and illegal immigrants lack proper training to safely operate 40‑ton trucks. He warned that these drivers are being used by international crime syndicates to transport drugs and firearms, and that they depress wages for American truckers.
Economic impact of fraud
According to the American Transportation Research Institute, liability insurance premiums for commercial trucking rose 18.6% between 2021 and 2024, a spike Duffy attributes to the influx of unqualified drivers. He emphasized that removing illegal operators will not create a driver shortage, noting that small, family‑owned trucking firms are being driven out of business by the fraudulent operators.
“I have multiple generations of small trucking companies that might have 20 or 30 rigs; they’re going out of business because they can’t compete with the fraudsters,” Duffy said.
What this means for the industry
The crackdown is expected to improve road safety, reduce insurance costs, and protect wages for legitimate American truck drivers. Federal officials say the coordinated sweep demonstrates a commitment to enforcing federal qualification standards and protecting the nation’s freight infrastructure.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
