Trucking vet lawmaker sounds off on illegal immigrant drivers as REAL ID deadline looms

Fox News - May 1st, 2025
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Rep. Mike Collins, a Republican from Georgia and veteran of the trucking industry, has expressed strong support for President Donald Trump's executive order mandating English proficiency for commercial drivers. He argues that this measure is crucial to improving safety on the roads, citing a 75% increase in accident rates due to drivers who can't read or speak English. Collins, whose family owns a trucking business, emphasized the challenges posed by illegal immigrants in the industry, who he claims have little concern for the consequences of accidents. This executive order comes as the Trump administration pushes to enforce the REAL ID Act, aimed at tightening security and reducing illegal immigration impacts.

The broader context includes the looming REAL ID deadline, which is part of a 20-year effort to enhance identification security in the U.S. This measure aims to prevent individuals with non-compliant IDs, often issued by sanctuary cities, from boarding flights or accessing federal facilities. Collins' support for these measures highlights the ongoing debate over immigration and security policies in the U.S., particularly how they intersect with industries like trucking. While the impact of these changes on illegal immigration and safety remains to be fully seen, the government's stance reflects a significant shift toward stricter enforcement and regulatory measures.

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RATING

4.8
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article covers topics of significant public interest, such as immigration policy and transportation safety, making it timely and relevant. However, it falls short in several key areas, including accuracy, balance, and transparency. The reliance on a single perspective, lack of supporting evidence, and absence of diverse viewpoints limit the article's ability to present a comprehensive and reliable narrative.

While the article is generally clear and accessible, the inclusion of unrelated headlines and occasional lack of context may disrupt the flow and comprehension. The potential for controversy is present, but the one-sided perspective may reinforce existing biases rather than fostering meaningful dialogue.

Overall, the article provides a starting point for discussion on important issues but would benefit from a more balanced and evidence-based approach to enhance its credibility and impact.

RATING DETAILS

5
Accuracy

The article presents several claims that require verification, impacting its overall accuracy. For instance, the claim that 'accident rates have gone up 75% because of drivers who can't read or speak English' lacks a specific source or statistic to support it. This raises questions about the truthfulness and precision of the statement. Additionally, while the article mentions that illegal immigrants can obtain driver's licenses in 19 states and Washington, D.C., it does not specify whether these licenses are for commercial driving, which is a critical detail missing for full accuracy.

Another claim about the REAL ID's impact on air travel and its enforcement starting May 7 is presented without acknowledging the history of delays in its implementation. Furthermore, the mention of President Trump's executive order mandating English proficiency for commercial drivers needs to be cross-referenced with existing FMCSA regulations, which already require such proficiency. These gaps in verification and the absence of supporting sources for key claims suggest potential inaccuracies in the reporting.

4
Balance

The article predominantly presents the perspective of Rep. Mike Collins and the Trump administration, with little to no representation of opposing viewpoints or responses from other stakeholders in the trucking industry or immigrant communities. This lack of balance can lead to a skewed perception of the issues discussed, such as the impact of non-English-speaking drivers on accident rates and the role of REAL ID in immigration enforcement.

By focusing primarily on Collins' concerns and the Trump administration's actions, the article omits important perspectives, such as those of immigrant rights advocates or transportation safety experts, who might provide a more nuanced understanding of the situation. This imbalance in perspective representation contributes to a one-sided narrative that could benefit from a broader range of viewpoints.

6
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it relatively easy to follow the main points and arguments presented. The use of direct quotes from Rep. Collins helps to convey his perspective and concerns in a straightforward manner.

However, the article could benefit from a more organized presentation of information, particularly in distinguishing between different aspects of the issues discussed, such as the separate roles of REAL ID and commercial driver licensing standards. Additionally, the inclusion of unrelated headlines within the text can be distracting and detract from the overall coherence of the narrative.

5
Source quality

The primary source of information in the article is Rep. Mike Collins, whose background in the trucking industry lends some authority to his statements. However, the reliance on a single political figure without corroborating evidence or additional expert opinions limits the reliability of the information presented.

The article does not reference any specific studies, data, or independent sources to substantiate the claims made by Collins or to provide a broader context. This lack of diverse and authoritative sources weakens the overall credibility and impartiality of the reporting.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of providing clear sources or evidence for the claims made, particularly regarding the statistics about accident rates and the specifics of the REAL ID enforcement. There is no disclosure of the methodology used to arrive at these figures or any acknowledgment of potential conflicts of interest, such as Rep. Collins' personal stake in the trucking industry.

Without a clear explanation of the basis for the claims and the factors influencing the reporting, readers are left without a complete understanding of the context and potential biases. This lack of transparency undermines the article's ability to present a fully informed and impartial narrative.

Sources

  1. https://collins.house.gov/about
  2. https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/314175/Michael_Allen_Collins_Jr_.html
  3. http://collins.house.gov
  4. https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2024/12/04/congress-most-prolific-crypto-trader-is-a-georgia-trucking-operator
  5. https://www.ajc.com/politics/the-double-life-of-mike-collins-georgias-social-media-rep-in-congress/IEVMUR67NZFCPL6A3WBH2JEC4I/