The United States has halted the issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers from Nigeria and other countries, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Thursday.
Rubio made this known on a post on X, saying the policy change takes effect immediately.
“Effective immediately we are pausing all issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers,” he said.
“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.”
A State Department spokesperson later said on Thursday that the pause was implemented, “in order to conduct a comprehensive and thorough review of screening and vetting protocols used to determine their qualifications for a U.S. visa.”
CBS News reports that the spokesperson noted it “applies to all nationalities and is not directed at any specific country.”
In recent months, the Trump administration has moved to enforce rules requiring truck drivers to speak and read English proficiently.
According to the Transportation Department, the measure is intended to enhance road safety after incidents in which drivers’ limited English skills may have played a role in fatal accidents.
“As we have seen with recent deadly accidents, foreign truckers can pose risks to American lives, U.S. national security, and foreign policy interests,” the State Department spokesperson said.
“Ensuring that every driver on our roads meets the highest standards is important to protecting the livelihoods of American truckers and maintaining a secure, resilient supply chain.”
The decision comes at a time when the U.S. is grappling with a shortage of commercial truck drivers.
Meanwhile, the American Trucking Association (ATA), a leading industry group, estimates the shortfall at roughly 60,000 drivers.
In a statement, the ATA said it supports the administration’s approach, stressing that the issuance of worker visas for truck drivers “needs serious scrutiny, including the enforcement of entry-level driver training standards.”
At the same time, the Trump administration announced it is reviewing the records of more than 55 million people holding valid U.S. visas to identify any violations that could result in deportation.
In a written response to the Associated Press, the State Department explained that all visa holders—including tourists—are subject to “continuous vetting” to ensure they remain eligible to enter or stay in the United States.
If disqualifying information surfaces, the visa will be revoked. Those already in the country would then face deportation.
Since President Trump took office, the administration has prioritised the removal of undocumented migrants as well as individuals holding student or visitor exchange visas.
However, the new guidance signals that this vetting process, which officials admit is lengthy and complex, will now apply far more broadly—raising the possibility that even legally approved visa holders could unexpectedly lose their status.
