US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that the government is halting all new visas issued to foreign truck drivers in the US, effective immediately. This move comes after a fatal Florida crash that resulted in the loss of three lives.
“Endangering American Lives”
Marco Rubio stated that the increasing number of foreign drivers on the road is putting American lives in danger and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers. He took to social media to announce the pause on all issuances of new work permits and visas for commercial drivers.
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 US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers.
Fatal Truck Crash In Florida
The statement from Rubio follows a fatal truck crash in Florida, where driver Harjinder Singh made an illegal U-turn on the highway through an “Official Use Only” access point, resulting in multiple deaths. The Department of Homeland Security has released a statement accusing California Governor Gavin Newsom of issuing a Commercial Driver’s License to an individual with no legal right to be in the US.
Investigation and Response
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has also issued a statement, saying that the DOT is investigating the crash and sharing preliminary findings. Duffy stated that President Trump and he will restore safety to the roads, and that the families of the deceased deserve justice. He also decried “radical immigration policies” that result in “unqualified foreign drivers” acquiring licenses to drive trucks.
Trump’s Crackdown On Immigration
The Trump administration has been cracking down on immigration into the US, with the government recently directing the USCIS to probe “anti-American” sentiments among immigrants seeking green cards and other benefits. However, some experts have warned that the Trump administration’s immigration policies could result in inflation rising over 4% in the US by next year.
Reaction and Analysis
The move has sparked debate and discussion, with some warning of the potential economic implications. Mark Zandi, the chief of ratings agency Moody’s, has warned that the Trump administration’s immigration policies could result in significant economic consequences. Meanwhile, others have signaled a potential reunion between the Make America Great Again contingent and Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk.