Suspension of Worker Visas for Foreign Truck Drivers

President Trump’s administration has halted all worker visas for foreign truck drivers. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concerns on Thursday that the growing number of international commercial drivers poses risks to American lives.

“We are suspending the issuance of commercial truck driver worker visas. The rise in foreign drivers operating heavy trucks on U.S. roads endangers American lives and threatens the livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio stated.

This announcement follows a tragic incident where truck driver Haljinder Singh was accused of making an illegal U-turn that resulted in fatalities about 50 miles north of West Palm Beach, Florida. The Department of Homeland Security reported that Singh, who faces charges for three counts of vehicular homicide, was in the United States illegally.

Transport Secretary Shawn Duffy mentioned on Tuesday that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Agency has started an investigation into the deadly Florida highway crash.

Earlier in April, Trump signed an executive order requiring all commercial truck drivers in the U.S. to be proficient in English. This order declared English the official language of the country. The administration emphasized that drivers must be able to read traffic signs, communicate with law enforcement, and interact effectively with their employers and clients in English.

Typically, foreign truckers in the U.S. work under H-2B visas.

On Thursday, the State Department announced it is reviewing over 55 million U.S. visa holders for potential violations, such as criminal conduct and wrongful visa use, as well as any involvement in “terrorist activity.”

Last week, the State Department also decided to suspend all visas for visitors from the Gaza Strip.