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The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced this Thursday an immediate suspension of the issuance of work visas in the United States for foreign commercial truck drivers.
According to Rubio on the social media platform X, this measure aims to protect road safety and the jobs of American truck drivers,
Context and Background
This suspension is part of a larger strategy led by the Department of Transportation under the Trump administration, which aims to strengthen English proficiency standards among foreign drivers as a way to enhance road safety
The decision comes after a tragic accident in Florida, where an Indian driver, illegally residing in the U.S., caused the death of three people.
It was revealed that the driver, who is of Indian nationality, failed the English language proficiency assessment, which raised concerns about the ease with which licenses were being obtained without meeting minimum requirements.
Implications for the transport sector
The transportation sector has been facing a driver shortage crisis for years, with a significant reliance on foreign labor, including those benefiting from H‑2B visas.
In December 2024, the issuance of over 64,000 additional H-2B visas was approved, allowing transportation companies to legally fill those vacancies
The suspension presents challenges for the sector: it could increase operational costs, prolong delivery times, and strain supply chains, which were already at their limit due to a shortage of available drivers.
Frequently asked questions about the suspension of work visas for commercial truck drivers in the U.S.
Why has the issuance of work visas for commercial truck drivers in the U.S. been suspended?
The suspension is due to concerns about road safety and job protection for American truckers. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the increase of foreign drivers on U.S. roads endangers lives and impacts the jobs of local truckers.
What are the implications of this suspension for the transportation sector?
The suspension could increase operational costs, extend delivery times, and strain supply chains. This is due to the driver shortage crisis facing the sector, which heavily relies on foreign labor, including beneficiaries of H-2B visas.
How is this measure related to English proficiency standards for foreign drivers?
The suspension of visas is part of a strategy to strengthen English proficiency standards among foreign drivers. This is implemented to improve road safety, as fatal accidents have been reported involving drivers who do not master the language and do not meet licensing requirements.
What impact could this measure have on the Cuban-American trucking community in the U.S.?
The requirement to master English could impact thousands of Cuban American truck drivers. Many of them have found in the transportation industry a path to economic progress and stability, but they may face the loss of their licenses if they do not meet the new language requirements.
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