President Trump Signs Executive Order Requiring Truck Drivers to Speak English
President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order mandating that all commercial truck drivers in the United States must be proficient in English, citing reasons of public safety and national security. This move has sparked intense reactions from Sikh advocacy communities, who warn that it will disproportionately impact Sikh-American drivers and create employment barriers.
The executive order, titled "Executive Order Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers," reaffirms English as the country’s official national language and directs federal agencies to enforce long-standing language rules that have been inconsistently enforced in recent years. The order states that proficiency in English should be a non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers, as it is essential for reading traffic signs, responding to law enforcement, and communicating with employers.
Trump argued that commercial drivers must be able to read traffic signs, respond to law enforcement, and communicate with employers. "My administration will enforce the law to protect the safety of American truckers, drivers, passengers, and others," he said.
The order mandates that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revoke Obama-era guidance in 2016 that barred inspectors from penalizing drivers for English language infractions. Duffy termed the earlier policy "dangerous" and stated that his agency would start enforcing English proficiency requirements immediately. "This commonsense standard should have never been abandoned," he added.
However, the Sikh Coalition is deeply concerned about the impact of the order, particularly on the estimated 150,000 Sikhs in the US trucking industry, 90% of whom are drivers. The group cited estimates that more than 30,000 Sikh drivers joined the industry between 2016 and 2018. The Sikh Coalition argues that the sudden push to enforce English proficiency requirements could lead to profiling or unjust disqualifications, and they are currently reviewing the legal implications of the order.
Civil rights groups are expected to challenge the implementation of the order if it results in widespread job losses or discriminatory targeting. The Department of Transportation claims that failure to enforce English language requirements has contributed to fatal accidents in the past, but they are expected to face legal challenges if the order leads to job losses or discriminatory targeting.
This executive order could have a discriminatory impact and create unnecessary barriers for qualified individuals. The Sikh Coalition and civil rights groups are expected to challenge the implementation of the order, arguing that it could lead to profiling or unjust disqualifications.
Reference : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/donald-trump-signs-order-requiring-truck-drivers-in-us-to-speak-english-sikh-groups-warn-of-discriminatory-impact/articleshow/120719477.cms
