The U.S. government has temporarily paused issuing worker visas for commercial truck drivers — including categories like H-2B, E-2, and EB-3. This move, announced on August 21, 2025 by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, cites rising safety concerns and the need to protect jobs for American drivers.
What Sparked This Decision?
It all stems from a deadly crash on August 12 in Florida. The driver, Harjinder Singh, an undocumented Indian national, made an illegal U-turn that caused a horrific collision, killing three people. He reportedly failed both English language and road-sign tests during safety evaluations
Why Pause the Visas?
Rubio stressed that the growing number of foreign truck drivers is “endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers.” The pause will remain in effect while the government reviews and strengthens the screening and vetting protocols for foreign applicants.
Who's Affected? And How Many?
This applies to all nationalities and is not country-specific. But don’t worry — it impacts a relatively small segment, only a few thousand drivers out of the 3.5 million in the U.S. The H-2B visa program alone granted around 1,500 visas this year, and 1,400 last year.
Industry Response
- Trucking associations (like ATA and OOIDA) largely support the move, calling for tougher training and screening standards.
- Meanwhile, logistics and supply-chain experts warn that the already ongoing trucker shortage could worsen, potentially slowing down deliveries and raising transport costs.
Bigger Picture: Visa Crackdown & Safety Drive
The pause also fits into a broader Trump administration policy ramp-up — a “continuous vetting” of over 55 million U.S. visa holders, based on safety and potential threats. At the same time, rules requiring English proficiency for commercial drivers are being enforced more strictly.
