Tale Lites Issue 32

Secretary of State Suspends CDL's for Work Visas - Another $25 Survey Code!

Author

Michael Lombard
August 25, 2025

Should Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers be posted at scale houses/Inspection stations?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

🚛 Work Visas for Commercial Truck Drivers Immediately Suspended

On Thursday, August 21, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced via X (Twitter) that the Trump administration is halting the issuance of all worker visas for commercial truck drivers, effective immediately. Rubio cited rising safety concerns and economic strain on American truckers, saying:

What Sparked this?

This is an immediate follow up on last week’s Tale Lites! On August 12, a tragic crash on the Florida Turnpike killed three people. The truck driven by Harjinder Singh, performed an illegal U-turn and collided with a minivan. Singh, arrested on three counts of vehicular homicide, reportedly has limited English proficiency and was in the U.S. illegally

American Truckers United, and OOIDA have been urging the Department of Transportation and 43 governors to stop the issuance of non-domiciled CDLs citing safety concerns. A non-domiciled CDL is a Commercial Driver License issued to an individual who’s primary residence isn’t the state it was issued in. Coming into the industry this is how a lot of drivers obtain a CDL. Large carriers many times run their own CDL schools in their home state and recruit drivers from all over. After completing CDL training they take the non-domiciled CDL and transfer it to their home state. Now it has become textbook for individuals here on work visas, and many of these temporary residents aren’t here because they want to pursue the American dream in this industry, but are brought here predatorily.

Truckers on X were united on Rubio’s decision, and many feeling as though their voices are being heard. It also comes at a time where the trucking industry currently has overcapacity and the pause is unlikely to disrupt supply chains

What’s Still Unclear

  • The exact scope of the pause? Will it affect H-2B temporary visas only, or broader categories like EB-3 green-card tracks?

  • How long the suspension will last, or whether additional screening measures (like English proficiency tests) will be introduced for future applicants or existing visa holders .

Why It Matters

  • Safety vs. Labor: The incident became national news, bringing the conversation about deficiencies in driver qualification processes to light. It has ignited a debate over how English fluency and licensing are enforced. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that poor enforcement endangers public safety.

  • Political Angle: The move aligns with broader enforcement trends, as the administration simultaneously ramps up visa revocations and “continuous vetting” of all 55 million U.S. visa holders.

  • Industry Impact: The freight industry has been in a recession since the end of 2022, with no end in sight. This could be a capacity wake up call.

I want to hear from you! For Driver Submissions, questions, and comments contact me at: [email protected] or Text me directly at 423-275-2444

Take this Survey for a $25 Promo Code

Safety First!

Check out this snippet regarding safety from an October 1966 edition of Tale Lites!

Do you agree?

🚨 Medical Card Extension and Brake Safety Week is Underway!

-Santiago Talamantez

Last Thursday, FMCSA issued an extension for CDL and CLP holder that extended the time for drivers to carry their medical card from the original 15 day period to 60 days. This was to allow the State Driver License Agencies (SDLA's) more time to implement the electronic reporting process, which you already had to expect was going to come with problems.

Note that is is only specific to CDL and CLP holders; your Non-CDL DOT drivers must still carry their proof of medical certification at all times when operating a commercial motor vehicle.

My recommendation for your CDL drivers is to either go in person to the DMV to verify the electronic reporting of their new medical card was completed or just wait about a week after and run a new driving record through the SDLA and check for the medical certification info. Example below for Texas:

Also, today starts Brake Safety Week for CVSA. This is a specific inspection focus on the brake systems on commercial vehicles, sort of a mini-blitz but with specific targeting of the brakes. This is a crucial time to ensure your drivers and maintenance personnel are prepared and trained. Click below for the air-brake pushrod measurement brochure that CVSA provides free:

Tale Lites’ Take-

This is essentially DOT blitz week 2.0, but this time inspectors will focus on brake systems and components, with special attention to drums and rotors. These are critical parts, that when go ignored you wind up on the local news or someone’s tiktok/youtube video.

The goal behind Brake Safety week is to “eliminate roadway crashes through education and enforcement.” Any truck with brakerelated out of service violations, and caveat “other safety issues,” will be removed from service until repairs are made.

Last year, 87% of commercial motor vehicles passed inspection with no brake related violations. I don’t necessarily love the CVSA, but the numbers do provide some valuable information. Out of 16,725 inspections conducted across the US, Canada, and Mexico, 2,149 vehicles (12.8%) were placed out of service for brake related issues. More than 63% of those violations were just brake problems, and over half failed the 20% defective brakes criteria.

So whether you’re an owner/operator or company guy, get out and check out those brakes. Below is a video of our friend Santiago checking out some brakes!

Health Tip of the Week - What is Fat, and how much do you need.

When you hear “fat,” you probably think “bad,” but the truth is your body needs fat to function, especially if you’re putting in long hours trucking or hitting a workout/walk after you go into sleeper birth

Fat is one of your three main macronutrients (alongside protein and carbs), and it’s key for:

  • Energy – Fat is your body’s most calorie-dense fuel.

  • Hormone health – It helps regulate testosterone, estrogen, and other hormones that keep your body running right.

  • Brain function – Healthy fats support focus and memory, which we all need when logging miles.

  • Nutrient absorption – Vitamins like A, D, E, and K only work properly when you’re getting enough fat.

How much fat should you eat? Shoot for about 20–35% of your total daily calories. For most drivers, that’s going to be 60–80 grams per day, depending on your size, weight goals, and activity level.

Stick to quality sources:

  • 🥑 Avocados

  • 🐟 Fatty fish like salmon or tuna packs

  • 🥜 Nuts and nut butters (just watch portion sizes, don’t want excess calories)

  • 🫒 Olive oil

  • 🥚 Eggs

  • 🧀 Full fat dairy in moderation

Skip or limit junk foods like fried foods, cheap pastries, and anything loaded with trans fats, those are the fats to dial back on

Fat kind of gets a bad rep, if only there was another word for it because fat doesn’t make you fat, what makes you “fat” is eating too much of the wrong kinds of fat that come with extra calories. Fuel your body with the right stuff and you’ll have more steady energy, better focus, and improved recovery when you’re off duty.

Side note: when it comes to BURNING fat (losing weight) it’s why I encourage walking! Low impact/steady state cardio will use fat as the energy source for that effort, where as higher intensity exercise is going to use carbohydrates (glycogen stores)

Interested in one on one coaching? Download the 1stPhorm app today!

Partner Post of the Week

Take a peek into the life of OTR driver Alexandria! Follow her on her journey where she talks life, trucking, and fitness. You can get $20 off your next booking by using the code alex20

Truck Parking Club Partner Program

Do you create content for truckers, want to help solve the truck parking crisis, and an opportunity to give drivers FREE parking? Let’s work together! Click below to apply for Truck Parking Club’s Partner Program today!