WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has finalized executive directives concerning immigration, including one mandating a command of the English language for commercial drivers, such as truckers.
That requirement already exists, but Trump said it “has not been enforced in years,” making roads less safe.
The executive order reinforces an already existing federal law requiring English-language proficiency as a requirement for commercial motor drivers.
In the ordered issued Monday evening, Trump contends the “requirement has not been enforced in years, and America’s roadways have become less safe.”
“My Administration will uphold the law to safeguard the well-being of American truckers, drivers, passengers, and others, by adhering to safety regulations ensuring that every individual operating a commercial vehicle is suitably qualified and fluent in our country’s language, English,” stated the directive.
During a briefing for key personalities at the White House complex, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt disclosed that Trump would be signing an executive directive stipulating that truck drivers need to have proficiency in the English language.
“There’s a lot of communications problem between truckers on the road,” she said, which is “a public safety risk.”
“We’re going to ensure that our truckers, who are the backbone of our economy, are all able to speak English,” Leavitt said. “That’s a very common sense policy in the United States of America.”
The Trump administration has not announced said how they plan reinforce the new executive order.
Another order signed Monday will direct state and federal officials to publish lists of “sanctuary city” jurisdictions, or places where local authorities often don’t cooperate in enforcing federal immigration regulations.
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