Fleeing Ukraine to US, Immigrant Trucker Faces Challenges with License Restrictions

Karina Krainova, who worked as a trucker in the US after fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, where she is from, rushed to the closest motor vehicle office last fall, just days after the US transportation department tightened commercial driver's license requirements for immigrant drivers like her.

She was already afraid of being deported back to Ukraine as the war rages on. She had entered the United States legally in 2024 under a Biden administration program that granted hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians a safe haven.

The new federal restrictions threaten the licenses of noncitizen truckers, including those who fled Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Karina rushed to renew her license, fearing she could lose her job and face deportation.

"I preferred going back home rather than risk an encounter with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)," Karina said. "I had no choice. I couldn't stay here without a valid license."

The new requirements, issued by former President Trump's transportation secretary, mandate that commercial driver's license holders must prove they are legally present in the US. This poses a significant challenge for immigrant truckers like Karina, who may lack the necessary documentation.

Advocates warn that these restrictions could lead to the loss of thousands of jobs for immigrant truckers, many of whom fled war-torn countries like Ukraine. They argue that these measures unfairly target vulnerable populations and disrupt the critical supply chain in the US.

Despite the obstacles, Karina remains determined to continue her work as a trucker, even if it means returning to the war zone in Ukraine. She hopes that policymakers will recognize the valuable contributions of immigrant workers like herself and find a way to support them during this challenging time.

"I had to make a difficult choice, but I couldn't risk losing everything I've worked for," Karina said. "I'm hopeful that the government will find a way to protect the rights and livelihoods of immigrant truckers like myself."