The U.S. government has suspended all worker visas for truck drivers following a Florida accident involving Indian immigrant Harjinder Singh, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2018. (Image Credits: Fox News)
The United States government has announced a sweeping pause on the issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers, a decision made effective immediately. The announcement came late Thursday via X from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who pointed to growing concerns about foreign drivers on American roads.
“The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio said in his statement.
The move comes in the aftermath of a tragic August 12 accident in Florida, which claimed three lives and has since ignited heated political and immigration debates across the country.
At the center of the controversy is Harjinder Singh, an Indian national accused of reckless driving when his tractor-trailer overturned during a prohibited U-turn maneuver. Authorities reported that Singh was driving “recklessly, and without regard for the safety of others.”
The crash left three people dead and immediately drew scrutiny once details of Singh’s immigration status emerged. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Singh entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 by crossing the Mexico border. Despite initially being denied a work permit during Donald Trump’s first term in office, Singh later managed to secure legal working status under the Joe Biden administration.
Also Read: U.S. Reviews 55 Million Visa Holders for Possible Revocation or Deportation
Further outrage was fueled by revelations that Singh obtained a commercial driver’s license in California. Critics have laid blame on California Governor Gavin Newsom, whose state’s licensing system approved Singh’s CDL despite his prior immigration record.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin sharply criticized California authorities, saying:
“Three innocent people were killed in Florida because Gavin Newsom’s California Department of Motor Vehicles issued an illegal alien a Commercial Driver’s License—this state of governance is asinine. How many more innocent people must die before Gavin Newsom stops playing games with the safety of the American public?”
The remarks highlight how the tragedy has quickly evolved into a flashpoint in the broader battle between Republicans and Democrats over immigration enforcement and state-level policies.
In the wake of the Florida crash, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Singh would face trial before being deported.
The tragedy highlights systemic flaws that permit unlawful entrants to later get federal work permits and state-issued licenses, officials emphasized.
Secretary Rubio and DHS officials further emphasized that suspending worker visas for truck drivers is aimed at safeguarding the public while reassessing national transport safety standards.
The U.S. trucking industry, long dependent on foreign labor due to driver shortages, now finds itself at the heart of a political storm. Although safety is the top priority, industry leaders worry that denying visas could exacerbate labor shortages in freight transportation, which are already a significant obstacle to supply chain maintenance.
Supporters of the visa suspension argue that protecting American jobs and ensuring safety on highways outweighs short-term economic disruptions. Opponents caution that it may result in increased expenses for consumer products and delays in long-distance transit.
