US Halts Worker Visas for Foreign Truck Drivers
Decision aims to address safety concerns and protect American jobs.
The Trump administration announced an immediate halt to issuing worker visas for commercial truck drivers, effective Thursday, August 21, 2025, as stated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The decision, shared via a post on X, aims to address safety concerns and protect American jobs. Rubio argued that the growing presence of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is "endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers."
The policy shift follows a series of steps by the administration to enforce English proficiency requirements for truck drivers, reversing lax policies from previous administrations. The Transportation Department emphasized that the move is intended to enhance road safety, citing incidents where drivers’ inability to read signs or communicate in English may have contributed to fatal crashes.
The decision comes amid heightened scrutiny after a deadly Florida crash on August 12, where a truck driver, allegedly an undocumented immigrant from India, was charged with vehicular homicide for an illegal U-turn that killed three people. The driver reportedly failed an English proficiency test, prompting Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to launch an investigation.
Also Read: Nikki Haley Urges Trump-Modi Summit to Save US-India Ties
While the exact number of foreign truck drivers in the US remains unclear, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration noted in 2023 that about 16% of US truck drivers were born outside the country. The visa pause has sparked debate, with supporters like the American Trucking Associations praising the focus on safety, while critics warn of potential driver shortages and economic impacts, given the industry’s existing shortfall of tens of thousands of drivers.
As the administration continues to vet over 55 million US visa holders for compliance, the pause signals a broader push to prioritize American workers and enforce stricter immigration policies.
Also Read: Russia Dismisses US Sanctions on India Over Russian Crude as 'Double Standards'
