The United States government has launched a new campaign called 'Freedom Haulers' with the aim of attracting veterans to the profession of professional driver. This initiative seeks to simplify the process of obtaining a commercial driver's license for military veterans.
The campaign allows service members who have recent experience driving heavy vehicles during their military service to be exempt from the practical exam required to obtain a civilian license. Furthermore, service members nearing the end of their careers can participate in commercial driving courses during their last six months of active duty.
The federal program known as the 'GI Bill' will provide full financial support for training costs and, in certain situations, offer housing subsidies.
This action is part of a broader White House plan aimed at facilitating the professional integration of veterans, which will be formally presented on Monday. The announcement comes after the Department of Transportation intensified inspections of commercial licenses issued to immigrants and tightened English proficiency requirements.
Authorities reported that about 26,000 drivers were prevented from continuing to drive because they could not prove sufficient knowledge of the English language. Additionally, approximately 30,000 commercial licenses were revoked due to alleged irregularities in their issuance. The US Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, stated that these measures are aimed at enhancing road safety.
Duffy emphasized that the goal is to remove 'increasingly dangerous foreign drivers from our roads and restore the integrity of the American trucking industry.' He also highlighted that the 'Freedom Haulers' campaign demonstrates that 'there has never been a better time for American ex-service members to take the wheel of a truck.'
Federal authorities warned several states about the risk of losing funds designated for road infrastructure if they fail to comply with the new guidelines regarding commercial licenses. The transportation sector welcomed the measure. Derek Leathers, president of Werner Enterprises, mentioned that veterans already constitute about 15% of the company's workforce, highlighting their leadership qualities, discipline, and technical skills.
Cole Stevens, strategy director of Stevens Transport, agreed, stating that military experience makes veterans 'some of the best drivers and leaders in the industry.' Government statistics indicate that immigrants account for about 20% of drivers in the US, although commercial licenses issued to non-resident drivers account for about 5% of the total, totaling approximately 200,000 licenses.
Conversely, immigrant rights organizations criticized the inspection campaign. They allege that certain drivers are victims of discrimination, specifically citing members of the Sikh community, following widely reported road accidents involving drivers from this ethno-religious group from the Punjab region in northern India.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Olimjon Abdullaev, met with the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Saad Nasser Abdullah Abu Haimed, to discuss the development of bilateral cooperation, including issues of labor migration.
The meeting took place on July 22, 2026. The parties reviewed the current state of relations between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia, as well as prospects for further expansion of cooperation.
Particular attention was paid to strengthening interaction in consular and legal matters, creating more favorable conditions for citizens of both countries, and developing practical cooperation in the field of labor migration.
Participants emphasized their interest in implementing digital solutions, increasing the efficiency of consular services, and improving cooperation mechanisms in the migration sector.
Furthermore, a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening ties between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia were discussed. Agreement was reached to further study the proposals with the participation of relevant government agencies.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining regular dialogue and systematically expanding mutually beneficial cooperation.
