U.S. halts issuing worker visas for commercial truck drivers

The U.S. government has announced an immediate halt to issuing worker visas for commercial truck drivers, following an announcement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This decision results from concerns about road safety and protecting employment opportunities for American truckers.

Rubio expressed worry about the increasing number of foreign drivers operating large trucks on U.S. roads, viewing this as a potential threat to both American lives and job markets. The State Department clarified that this pause applies to all nationalities and doesn't target any specific country. The main objective is to conduct a thorough review of screening and vetting procedures for visa qualifications.

The Trump administration has been progressively implementing English proficiency requirements for truck drivers, with the Transportation Department arguing that language barriers could contribute to traffic accidents and compromise road safety.