US State Department Freezes Work Visas For Foreign Truck Drivers

State Department Blocks Work Visas For Commercial Truck Drivers

The US State Department has announced an immediate freeze on the issuance of work visas for commercial truck drivers. The move was confirmed on Thursday, 21 August 2025, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying the measure was designed to address safety concerns and protect American truckers’ livelihoods.

In a post on X, Secretary Rubio declared:

“Effective immediately we are pausing all issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers. The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers.”

The announcement affects applicants for H-2B, E-2 and EB-3 visa categories, a State Department spokesperson confirmed.

Triggered by Florida crash

The visa freeze comes in the wake of a high-profile fatal crash in Florida earlier this month. Reports suggested the driver involved was not a US citizen and did not speak English, raising questions over state compliance with federal rules on commercial driver’s licences (CDLs).

A spokesperson for the State Department told reporters:

“Ensuring that every driver on our roads meets the highest standards is important to protecting the livelihoods of American truckers and maintaining a secure, resilient supply chain.”

Earlier this week, the Department of Transportation launched an investigation into states accused of violating federal rules when issuing CDLs. The Trump administration has been focusing on enforcing English-language proficiency in trucking. In May 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration introduced new roadside inspection requirements, compelling drivers to respond in English.

Industry groups react

The decision has drawn support from major trucking associations. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) said in a statement:

“There is unlikely to be any negative effect on the supply chain, as the trucking industry continues to face overcapacity.”

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) also welcomed the pause. Chris Spear, ATA President and CEO, stated:

“The issuance of non-domiciled CDLs needs serious scrutiny, including the enforcement of entry-level driver training standards.”

Cross-border freight operations between the US, Mexico, and Canada remain unaffected. Matt Silver, co-founder and CEO of logistics platform Cargado, explained in a LinkedIn post:

“These drivers aren’t on worker visas. They’re admitted under a B1 business visitor visa, which specifically allows them to haul freight across the border. What they cannot do is cabotage — picking up and delivering freight strictly within the U.S.”

Silver added that Canadian truck drivers operate under reciprocal agreements that ensure trade between the two countries without dependence on the worker visa system.

The State Department has not indicated how long the visa freeze will last.