VOI World/ Desk
The U.S. State Department announced an immediate pause on issuing worker visas for commercial truck drivers after a deadly accident in Florida drew national scrutiny. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited safety concerns and the impact on American livelihoods as key reasons for the abrupt decision. “The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives,” Rubio said via X.
The move follows the Aug. 12 crash on the Florida Turnpike, where an Indian national, Harjinder Singh, made an illegal U-turn in a semi-trailer truck, resulting in the deaths of three passengers in a minivan.
Video credit: X/KantInEastt
Singh reportedly entered the U.S. illegally and had failed an English proficiency test after the incident. Investigations revealed he had obtained commercial licenses in Washington and California despite these shortcomings.
The visa suspension affects all nationalities and is part of broader enforcement measures. The Department of Homeland Security indicated that the pause would allow a comprehensive review of current screening and language proficiency standards for truck driver applicants.
Foreign-born drivers, including many from India, have increasingly filled gaps in the U.S. trucking industry amid a national driver shortage. Critics warn the new policy could worsen logistics bottlenecks and disrupt supply chains already strained by labor scarcity.
