US Pauses Worker Visas for Truck Drivers After Fatal Crash Involving an Indian

The US government has announced pausing issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers effective immediately. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the announcement on X.

“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,” he said.

The announcement came following the August 12 accident in Florida, in which three people died. US authorities found that Harjinder Singh, an Indian, was behind the wheel at the time of the accident. Later, it was found that he entered the US illegally.

In 2018, Singh crossed the Mexico border illegally and got a commercial driver’s license in California.

The Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said that Singh was driving recklessly and without any regard for the safety of others on the roads. He was negotiating a U-turn in an unauthorized area, when the accident took place.

This led to an outcry in the public over an illegal immigrant causing an accident, leading to death of Americans. On subsequent investigation, the Department of Homeland Security found that Singh had been denied a work permit during Donald Trump’s first term in office. However, he managed to secure the permit during Joe Biden’s administration.

California Governor Gavin Newsom was also caught in a political battle over the deaths due to the accident caused by Singh.

It has been announced that Singh will be deported after he faces trial for his reckless driving.