U.S. Pauses Work Visas for Foreign Truckers
Foreign driver’s crash sparks visa halt for truckers.
The U.S. has suspended work visas for certain foreign truck drivers following a fatal crash in Florida, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced. The decision targets drivers applying for H-2B, E-2, and EB-3 visas, affecting roughly 1,500 truckers this year, a small fraction of the nation’s 3.5 million commercial drivers. The move comes after a deadly incident involving an Indian truck driver, prompting scrutiny of foreign driver policies.
On August 12, Harjinder Singh, an Indian national in the U.S. illegally, made an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike, causing a minivan to crash into his trailer. The collision killed three people: a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, a 30-year-old man from Florida City, and a 54-year-old man from Miami. Singh, unharmed, faces three counts of vehicular homicide and immigration violations. He obtained a commercial driver’s license in California, which issues licenses regardless of immigration status.
The visa pause affects the H-2B program for temporary workers, with 1,500 visas issued to truckers this year, and 1,400 last year, according to Jeff Joseph of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. E-2 visas for investors and EB-3 visas for skilled workers are also included. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association welcomed the decision, arguing it protects American truckers’ jobs. Jerry Maldonado of the Laredo Motor Carriers Association clarified that B-1 visas for Mexican and Canadian drivers are unaffected, easing concerns about cross-border operations.
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The State Department is reviewing screening processes for foreign drivers and introducing enhanced vetting for those without valid visas. Singh’s case highlighted gaps, as he was denied a work permit in 2018 but later obtained one. After the crash, he fled to California, where U.S. Marshals arrested him. Florida authorities, led by Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, extradited him to face charges.
The policy aims to enhance road safety and prioritize American drivers, though it impacts only a small number of foreign truckers. The investigation into Singh’s crash continues, with authorities examining how he obtained his license and whether safety protocols failed. The visa pause has sparked debate in the trucking industry, with some supporting the focus on safety and others warning of potential disruptions to logistics.
