Abdul Saboor Hassan relocated to Oregon in 2020 after serving in the U.S. military in Afghanistan and obtaining eligibility for a green card. Initially, he worked as a commercial truck driver before transitioning to a commercial driving instructor. This experience inspired him to launch his own commercial driving school in Portland in 2024.
Hassan initially aimed to attract immigrant and refugee students, believing his ability to support them in multiple languages would be an asset. However, to his surprise, enrollment from these communities has sharply declined.
At the school’s inception, about 70% of his students had immigrant or refugee backgrounds. By Spring 2025, this number had dropped to roughly 25%. The decline followed a presidential order from the Trump administration that tightened English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and initiated crackdowns on states that issue temporary commercial driver’s licenses.
Some states, including Oregon, had issued temporary commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to individuals who are in the U.S. legally but lack permanent resident status. This includes asylum seekers, refugees, and individuals under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Last summer, the Trump administration along with 24 other states faced scrutiny for allegedly violating federal regulations by issuing these licenses. In March, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enacted rules that prohibit states from issuing temporary CDLs in most situations, threatening states that fail to comply with significant losses in federal transportation funding.
Currently, around 900 individuals living and working legally in Oregon are unable to renew their temporary CDLs or learner permits, barring many from entering this workforce altogether.
Despite these challenges, Hassan continues to operate his business, albeit serving only those who have obtained citizenship or a green card. He notes, “Many people are eager to obtain their commercial driver’s license but are unable to enroll in classes due to the new restrictions.” Hassan remains actively involved in the local Afghan community, illustrating the broader impact these regulations have on immigrant and refugee populations.
Commerce Aims to Create Stable Employment Pathways for Immigrants and Refugees
According to Chris Crabb, spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Driver and Motor Vehicle Services, the state began issuing non-domicile CDLs in 2010. This initiative was temporarily paused between 2015 and 2017 and again in late 2025 for compliance with federal standards.
Crabb stated that there is no evidence to suggest that drivers holding fixed-term CDLs pose a greater safety risk compared to other commercial operators. The demand for commercial driver training has surged, especially among men seeking career support via immigrant and refugee community organizations, according to Josie Majuri, workforce development manager at a Portland-based nonprofit.
The appeal of this career path primarily stems from the prospect of high earnings without the necessity of a college degree. Teresa Park, site manager for North/Northeast WorkSource, adds that it offers an accessible option for those still improving their English skills, allowing workers to start earning immediately following their training.
This accessibility, however, drew scrutiny from the Trump administration. High-profile trucking accidents involving immigrant drivers were cited as a rationale for stricter regulations, one such incident occurring in Oregon in November 2025. In that incident, a truck operated by Rajinder Kumar, an undocumented immigrant, resulted in a tragic accident claiming the lives of two individuals.
Despite Kumar facing felony charges and being ordered to leave the country, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy highlighted the government’s commitment to enforcing regulations aimed at ensuring public safety on the nation’s roads.
Criticism from Advocates for Immigrants and Refugees
In light of the new federal regulations, Park asserts that many immigrant and refugee clients pursuing or completing their CDL training will be compelled to alter their career trajectories. Many are now shifting to rideshare driving or jobs within warehouses and assembly lines.
The situation has led to frustration among community members who had lined up work, highlighting the discrepancy between available labor and the limitations imposed by regulatory changes. Some have ambitions to launch their trucking businesses but now find themselves selling off trucks because they lack the authorization to drive them.
Organizations like Salem Refugees have also witnessed many clients dependent on temporary CDLs face severe setbacks. Luke Glaze, director of the nonprofit, emphasizes that acquiring a CDL serves not just as a pathway to employment, but as a means of achieving independence and upward mobility for many refugees, making the policy change particularly detrimental to vulnerable communities.
