Ukrainian refugees in the Uniting for Ukraine program say new US rules on non-domiciled commercial driver's licences unfairly target them and threaten their livelihoods, reports New York's FreightWaves.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) interim final rule, issued September 29, restricts CDL eligibility to three employment-based non-immigrants categories. More than 4,000 comments have been filed, with a deadline for submissions set for November 28.

Refugees under humanitarian parole who obtained CDLs legally using Employment Authorization Documents said they will be forced out of trucking when their licences expire. Andrii Fedoryshyn told regulators his family would be pushed into poverty by the change.

Yuriy Mykytyuk, another U4U participant, said he bought his own truck and pays taxes but will lose his livelihood under the rule. Mykhailo Kostiv, with two US-born children, said removing CDL renewals will hurt families and weaken the supply chain.

FMCSA acknowledged U4U participants may be eligible for employment but argued their status is not tied to a legitimate employment-based reason to hold a CDL. Supporters of the rule said linking CDL validity to immigration is necessary to preserve safety..

One carrier said drivers lacking English proficiency compromise safety, citing incidents involving non-domiciled CDL holders. The commenter urged FMCSA to require all CDL applicants to hold a standard Class C licence for five consecutive years before eligibility.