On August 21, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the United States government was immediately halting all worker visas for commercial truck drivers. Secretary Rubio stated, “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 U.S. has halted all worker visa issuances for commercial truck drivers, effective August 21, 2025, following a fatal crash in Florida. Previously, foreign truck drivers could have applied for work under the H-2B temporary non-agricultural visa or sought permanent residency through the EB-3 visa program, both requiring a U.S. employer sponsorship for a labor shortage.
Generally, visa options available to foreign national truck drivers prior to the halt were among others:
H-2B Visa:
This is a temporary non-agricultural work visa allowing U.S. companies to hire foreign workers for seasonal or temporary jobs to address labor shortages.
EB-3 – Green Card:
This employment-based visa provided a pathway for permanent residency (a green card) for skilled foreign workers. A U.S. employer would sponsor the driver for a permanent, long-term position.
The pause affects all new worker visa applications for commercial truck drivers, making it impossible for foreign drivers to get the necessary visas to work in the U.S.
The current administration has taken a series of steps to address concerns about foreign truck drivers who do not speak English. Last April, the President signed an executive order directing enforcement of a rule requiring commercial drivers in the U.S. to meet English-proficiency standards.
Further, earlier this week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has launched an investigation into a crash on a Florida highway that killed three people. The crash involved a driver who was a foreign national and did not speak English or have legal authorization to be in the U.S., according to Florida and U.S. officials. Florida officials took custody of the foreign national truck driver in California to return him to the state of Florida to face charges.
Duffy has said that failing to adequately enforce driver qualification standards poses serious safety concerns and increases the likelihood of crashes.
FMCSA noted in 2023 that about 16% of U.S. truck drivers were born outside the United States. Last month, Reuters reported that Mexican truck drivers in the border city of Ciudad Juarez have begun studying English in efforts to comply with the President’s order.
The most current information will come from the U.S. government. Keep an eye out for official announcements from the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, or USCIS for any changes or updates regarding the visa pause.