The United States has suspended the issuance of visas for commercial truck drivers following a fatal incident in Florida that killed three people.
Harjinder Singh, an Indian national, allegedly made an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike, causing a collision that claimed three lives. Singh, who entered the country illegally in 2018, was arrested in California and extradited to Florida to face charges of vehicular homicide.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the immediate cessation of all worker visas for commercial truck drivers, citing public safety and job protection. "The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers," he said.
The crash has escalated political tensions. The Trump administration attributed responsibility to California Governor Gavin Newsom, alleging that Singh’s state-issued licence facilitated the tragedy. Newsom’s office countered that the federal government had issued Singh’s work permit and that California cooperated in his extradition.
Also read: US to scrutinise 55 million visas, says Trump
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has emphasised enforcement of English proficiency for truck drivers, reversing prior guidance that limited removal from the road due to language deficiencies. Drivers are required to demonstrate English competency for road safety.
The United States has seen a sharp rise in foreign-born truckers over the past two decades. Federal statistics indicate the number of immigrant drivers more than doubled between 2000 and 2021, reaching 720,000, representing 18 per cent of the trucking workforce.
Indian-origin drivers form a substantial part of this influx, particularly in long-haul freight. Many are from the Sikh community and contribute not only as drivers but also as entrepreneurs running trucking schools, transport businesses, truck stops, restaurants, and faith-based facilities catering to the industry.
In California alone, tens of thousands of truckers trace their heritage to India, filling critical roles amid chronic driver shortages. A shortage of 24,000 drivers has been reported nationally, costing the freight industry millions of dollars weekly as goods remain undelivered.
The policy change is expected to affect these communities significantly, highlighting the challenges of balancing safety concerns with industry demand and the reliance on foreign-born truckers who have become integral to the logistics sector.
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