US Blocks Foreign Trucker Visas with Immediate Effect: Here’s Why! President Donald Trump’s administration abruptly stopped issuing U.S. visas for truck drivers on Thursday. The move follows a fatal crash that has drawn national attention and sparked political debate.
While traveling to the U.S. without a visa is possible through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows citizens from 43 approved countries to visit for up to 90 days for tourism, business, or transit. Travelers must apply for ESTA approval before departure and hold a valid electronic passport.
Visa Ban Announced After Fatal Incident
“Effective immediately, we are pausing all issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X.
Effective immediately we are pausing all issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers.
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.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) August 21, 2025
He argued that foreign drivers pose risks on U.S. roads and threaten American jobs. “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 wrote.
The action came after Harjinder Singh, an Indian national, was charged in a crash that killed three people in Florida. He allegedly made an illegal U-turn and had entered the U.S. illegally from Mexico. After the crash, he reportedly failed an English test, according to federal officials.
Political Fallout and Interstate Tensions
Florida officials, led by Republicans, have spotlighted the case. The state’s lieutenant governor even flew to California to extradite Singh alongside immigration agents.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office responded sharply. They stated Singh had received a federal work permit while seeking asylum and that California fully cooperated in his extradition.
Broader Push Against Immigration
Trump has long made immigration a key issue. Since returning to office, his administration has targeted various visa categories.
Rubio, now a central figure in immigration policy, has rescinded over 6,000 student visas—four times more than during the same period last year. His office also paused visas for wounded children from Gaza and revoked visas from students who protested against Israel, citing national security concerns.
Foreign Truck Drivers on the Rise
The number of foreign-born truck drivers in the U.S. more than doubled from 2000 to 2021, reaching 720,000. They now make up 18% of the trucking workforce, mirroring broader labor trends.
Many of these drivers come from Latin America, India, and Eastern Europe, including Ukraine. Their presence has helped meet rising demand. A study by altLine this year found the U.S. is short 24,000 truck drivers—costing the freight industry nearly $96 million per week.
New English Rules & Scrutiny
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a rule in June requiring truckers to speak English. Although English tests have long been required, the Obama administration once directed authorities not to disqualify drivers solely for language issues.
This new push reverses that approach—and further tightens access for immigrant workers in the industry.
