April 28, 2025 (Nationwide) — The Sikh Coalition is deeply concerned about an executive order, signed by President Trump this afternoon, that seeks to “ensure all commercial vehicle operators in the United States are proficient English speakers.” We understand that, under this order, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will be directed “to rescind and replace guidance to strengthen inspection procedures for compliance with English proficiency requirements.”

This Executive Order raises significant concerns for the Sikh community, which has a substantial presence in the American trucking industry. As reported in The Economist, approximately 150,000 Sikhs work in the trucking industry, 90 percent of whom are drivers. Our community has played a vital role in meeting the high demand for drivers and alleviating the stress of driver shortages on American consumers and the economy; more than 30,000 Sikh drivers joined the industry between 2016 and 2018, contributing significantly to this critical sector prior to supply chain problems in 2020. Sikhs help drive—quite literally—the American economy.

This Executive Order follows President Trump's March executive order seeking to establish English as the official language of the United States. At that time, the Sikh Coalition joined with other civil rights organizations to oppose the order because it would threaten language access to important information for millions of Americans due to changes in government policy around what resources must be translated to other languages. To be clear, at this time, we are still working with partners in and out of sangat to better understand the legal implications and implementation process of this most recent order. However, we are concerned that it could have a discriminatory impact on Sikh truck drivers and create unnecessary barriers to employment for qualified individuals. We urge community members to stay informed, including by using our Trucker “Know Your Rights” resource and our Wallet-Sized Kirpan Card. In the meantime, we will continue to monitor this situation closely and provide updates as they become available.

The Sikh Coalition is committed to protecting the rights of Sikh truckers and ensuring fair treatment for all—work that has long been part of our portfolio. In 2016, we settled an eight-year hiring discrimination case with trucking giant J.B. Hunt on behalf of four Sikh clients. Our attorneys have provided representation in other instances of employment discrimination, including issues related to truckers’ rights to maintain their articles of faith. And over the years, we have continuously engaged with government organizations like the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to advocate for inclusive policies.

As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.