The American trucking industry is under attack, and it’s not just from inflation, fuel costs, or government red tape. It’s coming from inside our own borders—thanks to a system that has allowed illegal aliens to get behind the wheel of 80,000-pound machines and put the lives of everyday Americans at risk. Mike Kucharski, a trucking executive and co-owner of JKC Trucking in Illinois, has sounded the alarm. And if anyone’s listening, they better act fast.
Kucharski recently spoke out, warning that illegal drivers using sanctuary state licenses are not only hurting the industry but putting lives in danger. We’re not talking about one or two bad apples. This is a systemic failure that has been ignored for too long. It’s now causing a ripple effect, or as Kucharski calls it, a “shockwave,” across the entire trucking market.
Let’s break it down. After COVID, many in the industry expected business to bounce back. But that didn’t happen. Freight volumes stayed low, and rates stayed down. At first glance, it didn’t make sense. But Kucharski and others started connecting the dots. Illegal drivers were entering the workforce, taking loads at lower rates than legitimate drivers and companies could afford. Why? Because they’re not playing by the same rules.
These illegal drivers are often working under the radar, not paying taxes, and not following safety regulations. They’re willing to haul freight for less, and that undercuts the entire market. Small trucking companies that follow the law can’t compete. And the long-term impact is devastating: fewer jobs for American citizens, fewer small businesses surviving, and a general decline in road safety.
That safety issue isn’t just a talking point—it’s a matter of life and death. A recent tragedy in California proves the point. A commercial driver’s license (CDL) was issued in error to someone who should’ve never gotten it. That driver later caused a deadly crash. Federal investigators found that California’s licensing system had serious problems. In short, people were getting CDLs even after their work permits expired. That’s not just a paperwork mistake—that’s a failure that costs real lives.
Thankfully, the U.S. Department of Transportation, now under the leadership of Secretary Sean Duffy, has stepped in. They’ve issued an emergency rule to tighten the standards for giving out commercial licenses to non-citizens. States now have to use the SAVE database to confirm someone’s legal status before handing over a CDL. That’s a good start, but it’s not enough.
Kucharski says what many of us have been thinking: every person behind the wheel of a big rig needs to be properly trained, licensed, and legally allowed to be there. No exceptions. This isn’t just about protecting the trucking business—though that’s important. It’s also about protecting American lives. When an 18-wheeler is driven by someone who shouldn’t be there, the risk to families on the road skyrockets.
This situation didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of years of weak enforcement, sanctuary policies, and political games that put ideology over safety. But now that it’s in the spotlight, it’s time to act. The federal government needs to enforce the law. States need to be held accountable. And the trucking industry needs support—not sabotage.
This is about more than just trucks and freight. It’s about securing our roads, protecting our jobs, and standing up for the rule of law. Veterans know what it means to follow orders, follow procedures, and look out for the guy next to you. We didn’t fight for a country where laws are optional and safety is second to politics.
It’s time to clean house. No more sanctuary loopholes. No more illegal drivers. America’s roads—and our livelihoods—depend on it.
