The United States has immediately suspended issuing worker visas for commercial truck drivers from all nationalities, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on August 21, 2025, following a deadly Florida highway accident involving an Indian driver that killed three people.

The pause allows for a review of visa screening and vetting protocols, a State Department spokesperson said, emphasizing it is not targeted at any specific country. Foreign truckers typically enter on H-2B visas, with 1,490 issued this budget year compared to 1,400 last year.

The decision stems from the August 12 crash where Harjinder Singh, charged with three counts of vehicular homicide, attempted an illegal U-turn on a highway, blocking traffic and causing a minivan collision. Investigations revealed Singh failed an English proficiency test, answering only two of 12 verbal questions correctly.

"The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers - Marco Rubio"

This move aligns with the Trump administration's June directive by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy enforcing English proficiency for drivers, requiring them to read signs, communicate with officials, and complete reports to enhance road safety.

Industry experts warn the suspension could worsen a 60,000-driver shortage, as foreign-born workers, now 18% of the sector, have doubled since 2000 to 720,000, mainly from Latin America, India, and Eastern Europe. The pause affects new applications, but the fate of pending visas remains unclear.