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The upcoming American Presidential election is arguably the most controversial of the modern era, largely due to the boisterous, strong-willed businessman-turned-politician, Donald Trump. Whether you support or oppose him, it is undeniable that his style appeals to a very large percentage of the electorate. Many economic sectors have come out and supported him emphatically—like the Truckers for Trump group.
Statistically speaking, truck drivers tend to vote Republican in American elections, and this time around, a significant population within the industry has quickly adopted the newest Republican Presidential nominee as their man. “Truckers for Trump” is a political interest group that embraces the real-estate mogul’s commitment to represent the working man in Washington, to end the negative repercussions of major free-trade deals like NAFTA and—perhaps his most famous pledge—to put a resounding end to so-called illegal immigration.
Trump’s immigration policy is many things— unarguably radical, appealing to many, appalling to many more—and, if he makes good on his promises, there will be a major redesign in migratory systems to the United States.
Now, while a large portion of the trucking industry might support Mr. Trump for any one of his political plans, that many American truck drivers are jumping on the Trump bandwagon is a bit funny—and paradoxical—while keeping his call for tighter border control in mind.
Truck Driver Demand, Immigration and the Election: A Paradox
Why the paradox? To understand the clash in interests, one must take a step back and examine the entire trucking industry in full scope. Truck drivers in America, in the context of their demand, are a bit of a scarcity—there is a huge, well documented truck driver shortage that is making many throughout the economy quite nervous.
But there has been one group that has so far stepped up big to help fill the void of truckers—America’s immigrant population.
According to a PRI report, nearly fifty percent of truckers in California are foreign-born. Throughout the entire United States, men and women born in Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America are flocking to the vacant trucking jobs in the United States in Canada. The trucking industry needs drivers, and the immigrant population has shown that it is willing to provide labor.
Therein lies the bizarre disconnect in between the current Republican platform and the raw economic nature of the modern trucking industry—while the Republican Party (and thus a large portion of the trucking industry) supports protectionist and anti-immigration policies, the trucking industry may not be able to survive without foreign-born labor.
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