The Biden administration’s expansion of foreign trucker recruitment has led to a dramatic increase in newly issued CDLs, sparking concerns about road safety and job security for American drivers. Nearly 65,000 additional H-2B visas have been allocated for fiscal year 2025, allowing more foreign workers to take trucking jobs across the country.
Critics argue that these policies serve to drive down wages, making it harder for American truckers to compete. The trucking industry saw a brief period of rising wages in 2021 as demand surged, but the influx of foreign drivers has since reversed that trend. By prioritizing the recruitment of lower-paid workers from Central and South America, industry groups say the administration is undercutting those who have spent years in the profession.
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
The sharp rise in CDLs issued over the last few years has raised questions about the quality of training new drivers are receiving. In 2022, Oregon alone issued over 98,000 new CDLs — far exceeding the number the state’s existing training programs could realistically handle. Other states, including South Carolina, have also reported an unusual spike in trucker licensing.
Along with the increase in drivers, highway accidents involving foreign-born truckers have become a growing issue. Several recent fatal crashes have involved drivers who required court translators, lacked proper credentials, or had no formal training. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration previously required CDL holders to be proficient in English, but that rule has not been enforced since 2016.
Some states have gone even further in lowering trucking requirements. Arkansas recently adjusted its licensing standards, removing domicile requirements and allowing foreign learner’s permits to be used for CDL qualification. These changes have drawn criticism from trucker advocacy groups, who warn they weaken safety protocols and open the door to more unqualified drivers.
With truck-related accidents on the rise, pressure is mounting for lawmakers to reconsider these policies. Some states are already reviewing CDL issuance data to determine whether licensing procedures have been compromised, while others are exploring ways to reinstate stricter training and language requirements.
