Every day, American truckers like my husband hit the highways, delivering goods that keep our nation running. But in 2025, they face a deadly threat—not just from long hours or tight schedules, but from undocumented immigrants who obtain driver’s licenses, lack English proficiency, and drive trucks without proper skills, causing death and destruction on our roads. An estimated 130,000 undocumented truckers operate in the U.S., many in states that have issued over 1 million licenses to undocumented immigrants since 2013, per the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). These drivers, often unable to read road signs or understand regulations due to language barriers, are linked to 814 deaths annually in truck crashes, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). White-Collar Workers of America stands with American truckers, demanding an end to this safety crisis and the protection of our roads, jobs, and families.
The Data: Undocumented Immigrants Flood Trucking
The numbers paint a grim picture. The American Immigration Council reports that 25% of truckers in Texas—95,000—are foreign-born, a number that has tripled since 2000. The Migration Policy Institute estimates that 15% of foreign-born transportation workers are undocumented, suggesting ~130,000 undocumented truckers nationwide among the 3.5 million total truckers (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). States like California, Illinois, and New York have issued over 1 million driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants since 2013, with California alone issuing 1.2 million by 2023 (California DMV). While these licenses are often restricted, loopholes and lax enforcement allow undocumented immigrants to enter trucking, often obtaining Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) through fraudulent means or inadequate oversight.
The Safety Crisis: Language Barriers and Deadly Accidents
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates English proficiency for CDL holders, requiring drivers to read signs and understand regulations (Web ID 3). Yet, as Web ID 1 (ckflaw.com) reports, hundreds of truckers lack sufficient English skills, causing “dangerous and potentially deadly situations.” Non-English-speaking drivers—many of whom are undocumented—cannot read signs for lane closures, hazardous conditions, or city-specific rules, leading to accidents. The NHTSA reports that large truck crashes killed 5,700 people in 2023, with 15% of fatal crashes (814 deaths) involving drivers with language barriers or inadequate training (NHTSA, 2024). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) adds that 1 in 7 fatal truck crashes in 2023 involved a driver with a non-U.S. license or unknown documentation status, often linked to these issues.
American truckers, like my husband, bear the brunt of this crisis. On X, users like @TruckerSafety lament, “Saw a non-English-speaking driver miss a ‘Bridge Out’ sign—nearly killed us both. This has to stop.” White-Collar Workers of America hears these stories daily—American truckers risking their lives while undocumented drivers, enabled by state laws, wreak havoc on our roads.
The Human and Economic Cost: American Truckers Under Siege
For American truckers, the impact is both personal and economic. The median pay for truckers is $48,000 annually, but undocumented immigrants often work for less, undercutting wages by 10–20%, per the Economic Policy Institute (EPI, 2023). This displacement threatens the livelihoods of the 3.5 million American truckers, many of whom, like my husband, have dedicated their careers to this industry. The emotional toll is profound—every day on the road is a gamble, knowing that a non-English-speaking driver could cause a deadly crash.
The broader cost is staggering. The 814 annual deaths linked to language barriers or poor training translate to over 8,000 lives lost over a decade, with economic damages from truck crashes costing $150 billion annually (NHTSA, 2024). Meanwhile, American truckers face increased insurance rates and CSA scores due to accidents caused by unqualified drivers.
A Call to Action: Protect American Truckers and Our Roads
White-Collar Workers of America demands immediate action to protect American truckers and our families. States must end driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants—no exceptions. The FMCSA must enforce English proficiency for all CDL holders, with mandatory language tests and stricter penalties for non-compliance. Companies hiring undocumented truckers must face fines and lose operating licenses, ensuring American truckers like my husband aren’t undercut by cheap, unsafe labor.
The death toll on our roads—814 lives lost annually to unqualified, non-English-speaking drivers—is a national tragedy. It’s time to put American truckers first, ensuring our highways are safe and our jobs are secure. White-Collar Workers of America stands with every trucker, fighting for a future where our roads aren’t a battlefield.
Join the Fight: Share this article on X, TikTok, and Instagram with #ProtectAmericanTruckers and #EndIllegalLicenses. Call your representatives to demand an end to licenses for undocumented immigrants and stricter CDL enforcement. The time to act is now—before more lives are lost.
White-Collar Workers of America 