EXCLUSIVE: DOT Sec. Sean Duffy Launches Nationwide Audit Into American Trucking Industry And Illegal Immigration

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy is launching a nationwide audit that has the potential to expose illegal immigrants who are suspected of flooding the trucking industry, the Daily Caller learned first Friday.

The audit will specifically look into states that issue non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL), according to materials shared with the Caller. Officials will also review state’s processes for the potential for unqualified individuals to obtain licenses.

The number of foreign-born truck drivers has drastically increased in recent years, though there is no conclusive data on how much of that may be attributable to illegal immigrants versus legal ones, according to Census data analyzed by the Houston Chronicle.

“The open borders policies of the last administration allowed millions to flood our country – leading to serious allegations that the trucking licensing system is being exploited,” Duffy said in a statement to the Caller. “Today, we are launching a nationwide audit to get to the bottom of this.”

“Our audit is about protecting the safety of families on the road and upholding the integrity of CDL’s held by America’s truckers. Every state must follow federal regulations, and ensure only qualified, properly documented drivers are getting behind the wheel of a truck,” the statement continues.

Duffy signed an order aimed at the trucking industry May 20. Under the order, commercial motor vehicle CMV drivers will be designated as out-of-service if they do not comply with FMCSA‘s longstanding English-language proficiency (ELP) requirements.

Similarly, Trump signed an executive order in March declaring English the official language of the United States. In April, Trump signed a different executive order directing the DOT to ensure that truck drivers can adequately read and speak English to converse with the public. 

“[Truckers] should be able to read and understand traffic signs, communicate with traffic safety, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station officers,” the order states. “This is common sense.” (RELATED: How America’s Truckers Are Driving The Country — And Trump’s Campaign)

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy (L) speaks alongside FAA Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau (R) at the Department of Transportation Headquarters on May 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. Duffy held the news conference to provide an update on Newark Liberty International Airport. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

American Truckers United, an advocacy organization for truckers, previously warned that foreign truck drivers were causing fatal accidents. Solomun Weldekeal Araya, a Dallas-based driver of a tractor-trailer, was arrested in March and charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault after his tractor-trailer slammed into the back of a traffic jam and killed several people, Fox 7 News reported.

“We’re trying to make a statement so that the feds will do something,” Shannon Everett, a cofounder of American Truckers United, said at the time. “The foreign truck drivers — including many illegals — are killing American drivers, slashing truckers’ income, and pushing companies out of business.”