A recent executive order by President Donald Trump is set to enforce stricter English proficiency standards for truck drivers, sending ripples through Laredo, a city synonymous with bilingualism and the lifeblood of U.S.-Mexico trade. This development calls for a closer look at existing regulations and the potential shifts in enforcement for the trucking industry, especially in border communities.
The order, signed on April 28, doesn’t introduce new laws but rather reinforces the existing federal requirement that commercial drivers must be able to “read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records.”
For Laredo, where a significant portion of its economy relies on international trade and many truck drivers operate on B-1 visas from Mexico, this renewed focus on enforcement is prompting preparations and discussions about its local impact. The key change lies in the immediate consequences: non-compliant drivers will now be placed out of service, a stark contrast to previous guidelines that allowed for citations and discretion.
“This has always been the law in the United States,” stated Jerry Maldonado, chairman of the Laredo Motor Carriers Association (LMCA). “Before this executive order, the driver would receive a citation. Now, the driver will be placed out of service.”
From Warnings to Wheels Off the Road: What’s Changing?
Under President Trump’s directive, federal agencies, notably the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), are mandated to end the more flexible enforcement policies established in 2016 under the Obama administration. Those policies had allowed officers to issue warnings or citations rather than immediately halting drivers found not to meet the English proficiency standards.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has underscored public safety as the primary driver for this change, citing instances where language barriers contributed to serious accidents. “Federal law is clear,” Duffy asserted. “A driver who cannot sufficiently read or speak English — our national language — and understand road signs is unqualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle in America.”
Maldonado clarified that while social media and some news outlets have created confusion, the core requirement isn’t new. The significant shift is the immediate “out-of-service” order for non-compliant drivers, meaning their commercial vehicle operation will be halted on the spot, and companies will need to dispatch another driver.
“The FMCSA website clearly states that you’re supposed to be able to communicate with an officer,” Maldonado added. “It’s one of those things where we won’t know the actual effects until it starts being applied, but as the deadline approaches, drivers have to be trained. It should be part of a trucking company’s hiring process to ensure drivers can communicate.”
Laredo’s Unique Position: A Bilingual Hub Faces National Standards
The implications of standardized enforcement are particularly pronounced in Laredo. As the largest inland port in the U.S., Laredo sees thousands of trucks daily, many driven by bilingual individuals who might now face closer scrutiny. The city’s demographic fabric is woven with Spanish, with nearly 90% of residents aged 5 and older speaking Spanish at home.
Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino acknowledged the city’s unique border dynamics and expressed a cautiously optimistic view. “We understand that it’s important for truck drivers to comprehend road signs, exits and potential difficulties along the road,” Trevino said, highlighting that English proficiency is already a prerequisite for a commercial driver’s license (CDL). However, he also pointed to the need for clarity: “It has to be defined what ‘proficient English’ means and who is responsible for determining that.”
A key concern is the potential subjectivity in enforcement. Individual officers will ultimately determine if a driver’s English is “proficient,” leading to worries about consistency, especially for drivers traveling to regions less accustomed to bilingual interactions. While many public safety officers in Laredo and Texas are bilingual, facilitating smoother communication, this may not be the case further north.
Maldonado shared this concern, particularly for B-1 visa drivers from Mexican trucking companies passing through Laredo. “The concerns may arise when drivers travel from Laredo to Iowa, Minnesota or Michigan,” he said. “Language barriers could become a concern because it will always depend on the officer’s interpretation.”
Proactive Measures: LMCA’s Training Initiative
In response to the impending changes, the Laredo trucking industry, led by the LMCA, is proactively preparing its drivers. The association has launched training programs focused on practical English skills relevant to roadside inspections, regulatory paperwork, and other real-world scenarios.
“We want to ensure that our drivers are safe on the road,” Maldonado emphasized. “We’re not teaching them how to speak English — it’s about polishing their English skills.”
The LMCA has enlisted certified ESL teachers and is coordinating with local law enforcement to familiarize drivers with inspection protocols. These courses are available to all drivers employed by LMCA member companies. Maldonado also recommends that trucking companies on both sides of the border implement pre-hiring English assessments, a practice already common among many.
“Is there a concern? Yes,” Maldonado admitted. “But as an industry we will do everything we can to ensure that all drivers who feel unprepared for these conversations receive training.”
Driving Towards a Safer, Compliant Future
Laredo’s leaders and businesses see this executive order as another regulatory hurdle to be managed with the city’s characteristic resilience. Mayor Trevino believes Laredo’s bilingualism is an asset in adapting to the new enforcement.
“Locally, this issue seems nonexistent so far,” Trevino remarked. “In the end, being bilingual is an advantage for us because we’re able to not only understand both languages in a professional environment but also understand and enjoy two cultures.”
Maldonado echoed this, stating that the LMCA fully supports the order, viewing it as a positive step for industry safety and an incentive for greater compliance. “Is it a safety issue? Yes, 100%,” he affirmed. “As an industry and as an association, we support the enforcement of this law.”
As the compliance deadline approaches, Laredo’s trucking community is focused on preparation and adaptation, aiming to ensure that federal mandates contribute to a safer and more resilient industry.
