U.S. Halts Foreign Trucker Visas After Deadly Florida Crash, Citing Road Safety and Job Concerns

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an immediate and sweeping policy change, the U.S. has announced it is halting the issuance of all work permits for commercial truck drivers from foreign countries. The move, effective immediately, was announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who cited dual concerns of national road safety and the protection of American jobs.

Rubio shared the decision in a post on X, stating, “We are stopping the issuing of employment permits for commercial truck drivers with immediate effect. American truckers’ livelihoods are being threatened by the growing number of foreign drivers driving massive tractor-trailer vehicles on American roadways.”

The announcement follows a high-profile fatal collision in Florida on August 12 that claimed three lives. According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the crash was caused by an illegal immigrant, Harjinder Singh, who attempted an unlawful U-turn with his vehicle via an “official use only” access point on a highway. The maneuver reportedly blocked both lanes of traffic, leading to the deadly accident.

Singh was subsequently subject to an arrest detainer filed by DHS. In an August 18 post on X, Secretary of Homeland Security Noem stated that her staff is working to “root out and prevent illegal aliens from obtaining these licenses from sanctuary jurisdictions that put American drivers and passengers in danger.”

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy confirmed on Tuesday that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has opened an inquiry into the Florida highway accident. The new policy builds on a series of recent executive orders from U.S. President Trump aimed at enhancing road safety and national security. In late April, President Trump issued a directive mandating that all commercial truck drivers operating in the U.S. speak English well. The measure followed a March executive order designating English as the nation’s official language.

According to a White House directive cited by The Hill, drivers “should be able to read and understand traffic signs, communicate with traffic safety, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station officers.” The directive also requires drivers to receive and provide feedback to their employers in English.

Foreign truckers typically utilize H-2B visas to work in the U.S., according to The Hill. In a related development, the U.S. State Department announced on Thursday that it is reviewing over 55 million U.S. visa holders for potential deportable offenses, including criminal behavior, visa overstays, and involvement in “terrorist activity.”

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