Cuban trucker comments on Trump's order requiring them to speak English

Daniel Palacios, a Cuban truck driver living in the United States, shared a video online in which he expresses his opinion about the recent executive order from President Donald Trump that requires all commercial truck drivers to speak English or they will lose their license.

Far from joining the wave of criticism against the measure—labelled by many as discriminatory and xenophobic—Palacios offered a perspective based on his everyday experience on the road, asserting that proficiency in English is not a political requirement, but a practical necessity for safety.

"You have to work really hard if you don't speak English while doing this," he stated.

In his statement published on Facebook, the driver explained that while in Florida it is possible to get by speaking only Spanish, once you travel to other states "all the instructions are given to you in English," whether on signs, in instructions at depots, or in warnings on the radio.

A problem that goes beyond language

According to the account, he constantly encounters drivers who do not understand simple instructions, which causes delays and, in many cases, dangerous situations.

"They don't understand what the sign is saying; a large message appears stating that the road is closed two miles ahead, or on the radio, they start telling you—99% in English—that there's an accident, not to enter certain streets, and that there's a no trucks street that is off-limits. And you see the truck drivers who don't know English heading straight into those areas. Then you see the trucks stuck in the middle of the city, caught in countless problems and creating chaos," he assured.

Criticism of the detractors of the measure

The truck driver also directed a sharp criticism at those who oppose the rule simply because it comes from Trump, labeling them as "hypocrites."

"Never in their lives did they care about truck drivers; they would curse them every time they saw them on the road, they hate it when trucks pass by them. But now they defend them because it suits their interests, because they see a chance to attack Donald Trump," he noted.

In his message, Palacios also addressed his fellow Cubans, many of whom have expressed concern about the impact that the order may have on their jobs.

"We have to find our place. The United States doesn’t have to adapt to us; we have to adapt to the United States by necessity," he stated.

"Who told you that the legal system and transportation organization in the United States have to adapt to the fact that you don't speak English? That is your problem. You are not making an effort to adapt; you want the United States to adapt to you. And that is not the mindset of an immigrant," he emphasized.

A national debate with migratory undertones

The executive order signed by Trump at the end of April states that all commercial drivers must pass an English test as a requirement to maintain or renew their licenses.

According to the White House, the measure aims to improve road safety and ensure that drivers understand road signs, warnings, and communications.

The government has defended the regulation as a correction to years of "administrative negligence," which would have allowed truck drivers without proficiency in the language to operate, putting other drivers at risk.

However, organizations such as the National Truckers Association criticize the decision, calling it "disguised populism" and accusing the government of exaggerating figures to justify an anti-immigrant agenda.

Impact on Latino and Cuban-American Truck Drivers

It is estimated that between 20,000 and 25,000 truck drivers of Cuban origin currently work in the United States, particularly in Florida, where Spanish remains the dominant language in many industries.

For many of them, transportation has been a direct path to financial stability, and this new regulation poses a potential risk of exclusion if they cannot meet the requirement.

However, voices like Palacios insist that the solution is not in protesting, but in preparing.

The young man, a journalist by profession, worked in independent media in Cuba and in the United States, he worked for ESPN, until he decided to start his own business.

"We need to be objective and keep our feet on the ground. Let’s get it out of our heads that we can bring the country to a halt. Nothing will happen if all the Cuban truck drivers stop. Take it easy and focus on learning English, and if it's too hard, consider changing jobs," he suggested.

Meanwhile, the debate continues, not only in Latino communities but also in the halls of Congress, where some representatives have promised to introduce initiatives to curb the measure or at least soften its implementation.

Security policy or tool of exclusion? That is the question that divides the country—and even the immigrants themselves—while thousands of truck drivers continue to travel their routes with more uncertainty than ever.

Frequently Asked Questions about Trump's Order Requiring Truck Drivers to Speak English