Visas for foreign truck drivers in the U.S.: What you need to know following the suspension

The United States announced this week a suspension of work visas for foreign truck drivers, a measure that has raised concerns in the transportation sector and that, according to experts, has more political implications than practical ones.

The announcement was made by Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, in a brief message on the social network X, in which he justified the decision by stating that these workers "endanger American lives and undermine the livelihoods of local truckers."

The measure arises amidst a tense atmosphere following an accident in Florida, where an Indian driver residing illegally in the country caused the death of three people.

The incident quickly escalated into a national political debate: Florida officials blamed California's immigration policies - the state where the driver obtained a commercial license despite his immigration status - while allies of Governor Gavin Newsom accused Ron DeSantis's administration of exploiting the tragedy for electoral purposes.

What visas will be affected?

According to the State Department, the pause will focus on three categories:

H-2B, designed for temporary workers. In the last fiscal year, only about 1,500 visas of this type were issued for drivers, less than 2% of the total program.

E-2, for foreign investors in businesses in the United States.

EB-3, which applies to skilled workers from various sectors, ranging from healthcare to specialized trades.

However, Mexican and Canadian drivers entering with B-1 visas will not be affected, a relief for associations like the Laredo Motor Carriers Association, which feared a broader impact on border operations.

Debate on road safety and immigration policy

The decision is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to strengthen road safety standards.

In June, the order requiring commercial truck drivers to demonstrate proficiency in English came into effect as an essential requirement to work on the roads, following incidents where a lack of understanding of signage was believed to have contributed to fatal accidents.

While groups of independent truckers, such as the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, celebrated the suspension by claiming that there is no such "truck driver shortage" and that many companies are simply looking to cut costs by hiring foreign workers, others view the measure as a political maneuver.

Jeff Joseph, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, described the announcement as a tactic to "instill fear and panic" regarding foreign drivers.

Possible effects on the sector

The U.S. transportation industry has been facing a structural driver shortage for years, which led in 2024 to the approval of more than 64,000 additional H-2B visas to fill vacancies.

The new brake could exacerbate logistical issues: delays in deliveries, increases in operating costs, and added pressure on supply chains, which are already weakened after the pandemic.

Although the scope of the suspension is limited—affecting only a few thousand drivers compared to the 3.5 million commercial truckers in the country—the political impact is significant, as it brings immigration back to the center of the electoral debate, using road safety as the main argument.

Amid the controversy, the key question remains: Is it a genuine measure to protect lives on the roads, or a political tool to reinforce the anti-immigration narrative ahead of the elections?

Frequently Asked Questions about Visas for Foreign Truck Drivers in the U.S.