The Donald Trump administration announced it would abruptly suspend the issuance of work visas for foreign truck drivers. This move is seen as a response to a recent large-scale traffic accident caused by an immigrant driver in Florida. However, there are concerns in the industry that this could exacerbate chronic labor shortages.
According to Bloomberg News on the 21st (local time), Marco Rubio, the United States Secretary of State, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that he would immediately suspend the issuance of work visas for commercial truck drivers. Minister Rubio claimed, "The surge in foreign drivers is threatening the lives of Americans," adding that "The livelihoods of American truck drivers are also being shaken." However, he did not provide specific statistics or examples.
This decision appears related to the major traffic accident that occurred on the Florida Turnpike on the 12th. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the truck driver involved in the accident was an undocumented immigrant from India, who reportedly obtained a commercial driver's license and federal employment authorization while in California. He is facing charges for making an illegal U-turn and the Transportation Department is currently conducting a formal investigation.
Since taking office, the Trump administration has continuously strengthened immigration regulations concerning commercial vehicle drivers. In April, President Donald Trump signed an executive order tightening English proficiency requirements for drivers, and shortly thereafter, in May, the Transportation Department announced plans to enhance enforcement of related regulations. Additionally, the State Department reported that the number of visa cancellations has more than doubled compared to the same period last year since Trump's second term began, highlighting the successes in cracking down on foreign workers.
However, there are indications that this measure could add another risk factor for the U.S. transportation industry. According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the industry faced a shortage of 78,800 drivers as of 2022, and the labor shortage continues to this day. In fact, 1,490 H-2B visas for truck drivers were issued this year alone, while there was a demand for over 1,400 of the same visas last year.
Industry officials expressed concern, stating, "The government's strict immigration regulations could undermine supply chain stability and lead to increased transportation costs."