U.S. Suspends Visas for International Truck Drivers Amid Safety, Economic Debate

Last updated on 12 minutes ago

On August 21, 2025, the Trump administration announced an immediate pause on issuing worker visas for foreign commercial truck drivers, a move that has sparked debate across the transportation industry and beyond. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a statement posted on X, cited road safety and the protection of American truckers’ livelihoods as the primary reasons for the decision. “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 stated.

The decision comes in the wake of a deadly crash in Florida on August 12, 2025, where Harjinder Singh, an Indian national allegedly in the U.S. illegally, was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide after making an illegal U-turn on a highway. Federal officials reported that Singh, who held a commercial driver’s license (CDL) issued by California, failed an English proficiency test post-crash, answering only two of 12 verbal questions correctly and identifying one of four highway signs. This incident has fueled the administration’s push to tighten regulations on foreign truck drivers, particularly those operating under H-2B temporary worker visas.

Background and Rationale

The U.S. trucking industry has long relied on foreign-born drivers to address a chronic driver shortage, estimated by the American Trucking Association (ATA) at approximately 60,000 drivers. Foreign-born drivers, who make up about 18% of the industry, come primarily from Latin America, India, and Eastern European countries like Ukraine. Between 2000 and 2021, their numbers more than doubled to 720,000, aligning with the broader U.S. labor market but shifting the demographic of an industry traditionally associated with white, working-class Americans.

The Trump administration has pointed to safety concerns as a key driver of the visa pause. A State Department spokesperson emphasized the need for a “comprehensive and thorough review of screening and vetting protocols” to ensure drivers meet high standards, noting that the pause applies to all nationalities. Recent enforcement actions, including an April 2025 executive order by President Trump mandating English proficiency for commercial drivers, reflect a broader push to address perceived risks. In June, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy directed stricter enforcement of these standards, reversing 2016 guidance under the Obama administration that allowed drivers to remain on the road despite language deficiencies.

The Florida crash has also intensified scrutiny of non-domiciled CDLs, which are issued by states to drivers who do not reside in the U.S. or the issuing state. The ATA has supported the visa pause and called for a nationwide audit of these licenses, with President Chris Spear stating, “We need better accounting of how many non-domiciled CDLs are being issued.” The Department of Transportation has launched an investigation into the Florida incident, highlighting failures in state licensing processes, particularly in California, which issued Singh’s CDL.

Industry and Political Reactions

The visa pause has elicited mixed responses. The ATA, while acknowledging the driver shortage, supports the administration’s focus on safety and stricter enforcement of training standards. However, critics argue that the move could exacerbate supply chain issues. A study by altLine estimated that a shortage of 24,000 drivers costs the freight industry $95.5 million weekly in undelivered goods. The pause may also disrupt the flow of new drivers, as only 1,490 H-2B visas for truckers were issued in the 2025 budget year, compared to 1,400 the previous year.

Sikh advocacy groups, representing a significant portion of the 150,000 to 200,000 Sikh truck drivers in the U.S., have raised concerns about potential discrimination. They argue that the policy could disproportionately affect qualified drivers, particularly from India, who have become integral to the industry. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office countered criticism from the Trump administration, noting that the federal government issued Singh’s work permit and that California cooperated in his extradition.

Implications and What’s Next

The visa pause, effective immediately, has no specified end date, though visa caps are typically tied to the fiscal year ending September 30. While Canadian and Mexican drivers operating under B-1/B-2 visas are unaffected, those requiring E or H visas may face challenges. The administration’s broader immigration crackdown, including vetting over 55 million U.S. visa holders for deportable violations, signals a continued focus on restricting foreign labor in certain sectors.

For the trucking industry, the pause could worsen existing labor shortages, potentially increasing freight costs and delaying deliveries. However, supporters argue that prioritizing safety and American jobs outweighs these concerns. As the Department of Transportation continues its audit and investigations, the future of foreign truck drivers in the U.S. remains uncertain, with significant implications for both the industry and the communities it serves.