The United States paused the issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers effective immediately, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday, August 21, 2025. In a post on X, Rubio cited safety and labor-market concerns, saying the rising number of foreign commercial drivers on U.S. roads is “endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers.” The State Department later said processing was being paused to review “screening and vetting protocols,” describing the step as part of a broader effort to ensure all drivers meet federal standards. The pause applies to occupation-specific work visas used by foreign truckers—typically H-2B—while the review proceeds.
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