For the sake of public health and regional security, President Donald Trump just passed an executive order mandating that all professional truck drivers in the United States speak English well.
The activity has sparked eminent responses from Sikh advocacy organizations, who warn that it will negatively affect Sikh-American motorists and create job barriers.
The executive order, known as” Executive Order Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers,” reaffirms English as the nation’s “official regional speech” and directs federal authorities to uphold stringent language standards that have seen weak application in recent years.
According to the order,” Proficiency in English should be a non-negotiable health need for professional individuals.” According to Trump, business owners may be able to learn traffic signals, confront law enforcement, and speak with employers. Trump said,” My administration will uphold the law to protect the safety of American motorists, drivers, passengers, and people.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is required to repeal Obama-era advice from 2016 that forbids drivers from being penalized for infractions in English.
Duffy added that his organization would soon begin enforcing requirements for English proficiency and called the earlier plan “dangerous.” He continued,” This logical standard should have never been abandoned.
The Sikh Coalition, however, expressed “deep concern” about the order’s effects, particularly on the estimated 150, 000 Sikhs working in the US shipping industry, 90 % of whom are individuals.
According to the group,” Our area has played a vital role in meeting the great demand for motorists,” citing The Entrepreneur’s estimate that more than 30 000 Sikh owners joined the market between 2016 and 2018. This executive purchase may have a biased effect and introduce unwanted barriers for those who meet the requirements.
English language requirements have been a part of federal regulations for a long time, but opponents claim that a sudden force to enact them could lead to unfair discrimination or profiling. The Sikh Coalition stated that it is already looking into the order’s legal ramifications.
The Department of Transportation states that in the past, failing to maintain the normal has led to dangerous injuries, but civil rights organizations are expected to object if it results in widespread job deficits or unfair targeting.
