Thousands of Kenyan truck drivers working in the United States are anxious following President Donald Trump’s intensified enforcement against immigrant commercial drivers who lack English proficiency.

Trump recently unveiled the Freedom Haulers Initiative, a program aimed at replacing truck drivers unable to communicate effectively in English with American military veterans. Since the crackdown began, over 24,000 drivers have been removed from the roads, and another 28,000 commercial driver’s licenses are slated for cancellation.

Speaking at the White House alongside senior officials, Trump emphasized that veterans with heavy-vehicle experience will be fast-tracked for commercial driver’s licenses, highlighting the initiative’s goal to prioritize American veterans for these well-paying jobs.

Impact on the Kenyan Diaspora

The move has unsettled the Kenyan community in the US, estimated between 150,000 and 164,000 individuals, many of whom rely on trucking for their livelihoods. Several Kenyan drivers have already faced detention and deportation threats amid the enforcement.

  • One Kenyan driver was detained near the US-Mexico border in March 2026 and now confronts possible deportation.
  • Another spent over three weeks in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody during a routine trip, warning fellow drivers about the risks.

These actions follow a Department of Transportation directive that revoked over 200,000 licenses held by immigrant drivers, effectively barring many non-citizens from renewing or obtaining commercial licenses.

English Proficiency and Policy Changes

The crackdown stems from an executive order declaring English the official language of the US. The Department of Transportation reinstated strict English-only testing for commercial driver’s licenses, eliminating the use of interpreters nationwide. States not complying risk losing federal funding.

To support the transition, the Freedom Haulers Initiative offers expedited training for veterans without prior heavy-truck experience and extends the eligibility window for veterans seeking licenses from 12 to 24 months after active duty.

Trucking companies like Werner Enterprises have pledged to hire thousands of veterans under this program, which currently involves 34 states either participating or preparing to implement the initiative.

Immigrants constitute approximately 18 to 19% of US truck drivers, a figure higher than their overall workforce representation, underscoring the significant impact of these policies on immigrant communities.