by David Lindfield
California Democrats running for governor are facing backlash after pledging to oppose English proficiency testing for migrant semi-truck drivers, even after being shown footage of a foreign trucker struggling to understand road signs during a traffic stop.
During a gubernatorial debate in April, several Democratic candidates vowed to fight President Donald Trump’s administration over enforcement efforts requiring commercial truck drivers to demonstrate basic English comprehension while operating on American highways.
The clash highlights a growing divide between Democrats prioritizing immigration activism and Republicans warning that public safety is being sacrificed in the name of political correctness.
Democrats Attack English Proficiency Enforcement
Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, who served under former President Joe Biden, said he would “push back on the Trump administration” over roadside English proficiency testing for truck drivers.
“I would definitely push back on the Trump administration on, again, a reckless policy,” Becerra said after moderators showed candidates video footage of a California Highway Patrol officer administering a roadside English test to a commercial truck driver.
Becerra argued the officer needed to avoid discrimination and claimed he partially understood the driver’s explanation.
“I would make sure that that officer understands that he cannot discriminate against any driver without having a basis to do so,” Becerra said.
“I understood a little bit of what that individual was trying to say.”
Other Democratic candidates echoed similar concerns.
Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer claimed the testing amounted to racial profiling.
“Racial profiling is illegal,” Steyer said.