A recent homicide case in Florida involving an Indian truck driver has triggered a pause in the issuance of US work visas for commercial truck drivers. The decision, announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, follows a fatal collision on August 12 along the Florida Turnpike.
The Incident
Harjinder Singh, an Indian citizen, is accused of making an illegal U-turn on a Florida highway, which resulted in a crash that killed three people. Singh was driving a large tractor-trailer truck at the time of the accident. Reports indicate that a nearby minivan collided with Singh's trailer as he made the U-turn. Singh and his passenger were unharmed in the incident. Singh has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and immigration violations.
The Visa Suspension
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the suspension of worker visas for commercial truck drivers, stating that "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". The pause is aimed at drivers applying for three types of visas, most notably the H-2B visa for temporary workers. Data shows that only roughly 1,500 visas for truck drivers were issued this fiscal year under the program, and 1,400 last year.
The Driver
Following the crash, investigations revealed that Singh had entered the United States illegally from Mexico. Furthermore, he reportedly failed an English proficiency test administered after the crash. Records indicate Singh obtained a commercial driver's license (CDL) in California after securing a federal work permit. It was also reported that Singh had obtained a commercial driver's license in Washington state in July 2023.
Political Fallout
The incident has ignited a political debate, particularly between the Trump administration and California Governor Gavin Newsom. Senior Republican figures, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have criticized California's policies regarding the issuance of commercial driver's licenses to individuals who are in the country illegally. Some officials have blamed California's "sanctuary" policies for allowing Singh to obtain a CDL despite allegedly failing basic competency tests.
Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins personally escorted Singh back to Florida to face charges, criticizing policies that led to the crash. Collins stated that Singh should never have been granted a CDL by California.
English Proficiency Concerns
In June, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy directed that all truck drivers must speak and read English to receive a commercial license, citing safety concerns. This directive reinforces the importance of English proficiency for truck drivers to prevent accidents related to language barriers. The Transportation Department has recently tightened enforcement of English proficiency requirements for truckers, aiming to reduce accidents linked to language barriers.
Reactions and Further Actions
The Department of Transportation has launched an inquiry into the Florida crash. Federal authorities have requested that Singh be transferred to ICE custody once his state criminal case is complete. A petition has emerged online supporting Harjinder Singh, arguing that the incident was a "catastrophe and not a criminal act" and that his sentence is excessively severe.
