Congressional members have said the rule exceeds executive authority, targets legally present workers, and will remove 200,000 experienced commercial drivers from the workforce.
WASHINGTON:- Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Grace Meng and 25 members of Congress have filed an amicus brief with the FMCSA against Rivera Lujan, opposing the Trump administration’s rule that bars legally residing immigrants from holding commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs).
Members argue that the rule, implemented by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), illegally expands the government’s power by directing the agency to enforce immigration preferences that Congress did not write into law.
“The Trump administration is doing everything possible to make life even more difficult for hardworking, law-abiding immigrants. This rule will destroy the livelihoods of thousands of people, including an estimated 150,000 Sikh truck drivers across the United States. CAPAC stands with the Hispanic Caucus in defending immigrant communities and urges the court to reject this xenophobic and harmful rule,” said Representative Grace Meng, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).
“CHC is once again intervening to stop the Trump administration’s xenophobic abuse of power. Trump and his cronies are determined to find ways to destroy families, destroy the livelihoods of honest workers, and raise costs for all Americans,” said CHC President Representative Adriano Espelot. “We will be relentless in our efforts to stop the plunder of America. We will always stand in support of working families.”
By attempting to disguise the arbitrary denial of CDLs as a security measure, the Trump administration is violating the separation of powers and making our roads less safe.
Under the rule, nearly 200,000 legally present immigrants with valid work authorization – including nearly 42,000 DACA beneficiaries – would lose their CDLs based solely on their immigration status.
Notably, there are approximately 150,000 Sikh truck drivers, representing one-fifth of the entire Sikh population in the United States. Many Sikh immigrants arrive as refugees or are in the process of seeking asylum and will be directly affected by the rule.
This rule also perpetuates the misconception that immigrants are less qualified or more dangerous to drive. This narrative promotes discrimination against immigrant truck drivers, especially Sikh drivers, whose religious beliefs make them more visible targets of hate and harassment.
Twenty-five members of Congress claim that this rule will force 200,000 properly licensed professional drivers off the road, resulting in $3 billion in lost wages, increased transportation costs, and compromised road safety. Truck and bus drivers, who already work long hours, will face increased workloads and shorter rest periods.
The 25 members of Congress who signed the amicus brief have stated their firm support for Congress’s authority and the FMCSA’s pivotal role in ensuring motor vehicle safety.
It is worth noting that in April of last year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating English proficiency requirements for commercial truck drivers.