WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 23, 2025 – The U.S. government has enacted an immediate and indefinite suspension of the issuance of new work visas for foreign commercial truck drivers, a drastic move triggered by a catastrophic multi-vehicle accident in Florida earlier this week linked to a foreign national operator.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in coordination with the Department of State, announced the policy change late Friday, citing grave concerns over public safety and the vetting processes for international drivers operating on American highways. The decision is expected to send shockwaves through the U.S. logistics and transportation industries, which are already grappling with a severe domestic driver shortage.
The suspension was prompted by a fiery 15-vehicle pile-up on Interstate 75 near Gainesville, Florida, which resulted in multiple fatalities and serious injuries. Preliminary findings from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation indicated that the crash was initiated by a commercial semi-trailer whose driver, a foreign national in the U.S. on a temporary work visa, had significantly violated federal Hours of Service regulations designed to prevent driver fatigue.
In a press statement, the Secretary of Homeland Security said, "The safety of the American public on our nation's highways is our absolute highest priority. The tragic events in Florida have exposed potential vulnerabilities in the current system for vetting and monitoring foreign commercial drivers. This pause is a necessary measure to allow for a top-to-bottom review of our procedures to ensure that every driver on our roads, regardless of origin, meets the highest possible safety standards."
The visa category primarily affected is the H-2B program, which had been increasingly utilized by trucking companies to fill driver vacancies that they have struggled to fill with domestic workers.
The decision was met with immediate and fierce criticism from industry leaders, who warned of dire consequences for the nation's already strained supply chain.
"This is a sweeping, knee-jerk reaction to an isolated, though tragic, incident," said the president of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) in a sharply worded release. "To halt this vital program will not solve the underlying safety issue but will immediately exacerbate the driver shortage, leading to severe disruptions, delayed shipments of essential goods, and ultimately, higher prices for American consumers. It is a blunt-force instrument being used where a scalpel is needed."
For years, the U.S. trucking industry has faced a chronic shortage of qualified drivers, attributed to an aging workforce, difficult working conditions, and challenges in recruitment. The use of foreign drivers was seen as a critical stopgap measure to keep supply lines moving.
The suspension raises questions about the status of foreign drivers currently working in the United States. While the announcement specified a halt on new visas, it is unclear if current visa holders will be able to renew their permits. This uncertainty affects thousands of drivers and the companies that employ them.
The administration has announced it will form an inter-agency task force to review all aspects of the program, from initial background checks and driving record verification to ongoing monitoring of compliance with U.S. transportation laws. However, no timeline has been given for the completion of the review or the potential reinstatement of the program.
