Cuban Truck Driver Shares Views on Trump's English-Language Order

Daniel Palacios, a Cuban truck driver residing in the United States, recently posted a video online expressing his thoughts on President Donald Trump's new executive order. This mandate requires all commercial truck drivers to speak English or risk losing their licenses. Instead of joining the chorus of voices criticizing the order as discriminatory and xenophobic, Palacios shared his insights based on his everyday experiences on the road, emphasizing that fluency in English isn't a political demand but a practical and safety necessity. "It’s very challenging if you don't speak English doing this job," he stated.

In his Facebook post, Palacios explained that while getting by with just Spanish might work in Florida, traveling to other states means "all the instructions are given in English," whether on signs, at depots, or through radio warnings.

The Language Barrier and Safety Concerns

Palacios recounted frequently encountering drivers who fail to understand basic directions, leading to delays and often hazardous situations. "They don't understand what a sign says, even when a big sign tells them the road is closed in two miles, or the radio warns them—99% in English—about an accident, advising not to enter a particular street. Yet, you see truckers who don't know English heading straight into trouble. You then witness trucks stuck in city centers, causing chaos and numerous problems," he assured.

Criticism of the Critics

Palacios also criticized those opposing the measure simply because it originates from Trump, labeling them as "hypocrites." "They never cared about truckers, cursed them when seeing them on the road, and hated trucks passing by. But now they defend us because it suits their agenda, using it as a chance to attack Donald Trump," he remarked.

Addressing his fellow Cubans, many of whom are worried about the impact on their jobs, Palacios stated, "We need to adapt. The United States doesn't need to change for us; we must adjust to the U.S.," he concluded. "Who told you that the U.S. transportation laws should change because you don't speak English? That's your problem. You're not trying to adapt; you want the U.S. to adapt to you. That's not the mindset of an immigrant," he emphasized.

A National Debate with Immigration Overtones

The executive order signed by Trump in late April mandates that all commercial drivers pass an English proficiency test to maintain or renew their licenses. According to the White House, the measure aims to enhance road safety and ensure drivers understand road signs, warnings, and communications.

The government defends the order as a correction to years of "administrative negligence," which allegedly allowed non-English-speaking truckers on the roads, endangering other drivers. However, organizations like the National Truckers Association criticize the decision, calling it "camouflaged populism" and accusing the government of inflating figures to push an anti-immigrant agenda.

Impact on Latino and Cuban-American Truckers

An estimated 20,000 to 25,000 truckers of Cuban descent currently work in the U.S., particularly in Florida, where Spanish remains dominant in many industries. For many, trucking has been a path to financial stability, and this new rule poses a potential threat of exclusion if they fail to meet the requirement.

Nevertheless, voices like Palacios's insist that the solution lies not in protesting but in preparation. "We need to be realistic and grounded. Let’s forget about the idea of stopping the country. Nothing will happen if all Cuban truckers stop. Take it easy and try to learn English, and if it's too much, consider changing jobs," he suggested.

Meanwhile, the debate continues, not only within Latino communities but also in the corridors of Congress, where some representatives have promised to introduce initiatives to halt the measure or at least soften its implementation. Is it a matter of safety policy or an exclusionary tool? That's the question dividing the nation—and the immigrants themselves—while thousands of truckers continue their routes with more uncertainty than ever.