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U.S. Pauses Worker Visas for Commercial Truck Drivers After Fatal Florida Crash

The State Department acted after a deadly Florida Turnpike crash brought renewed focus to English-proficiency enforcement for commercial drivers.

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Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins makes remarks at a news conference on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in Stockton, Calif. (AP Photo/Benjamin Fanjoy)
Harjinder Singh, right, listens to an interpreter translate the proceedings of his arraignment in Department 8C of the San Joaquin County courthouse in downtown Stockton on Aug. 19, 2025 on charges of killing 3 people while attempted an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike near Fort Pierce, Florida.

Overview

  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the pause on issuing worker visas for commercial truck drivers takes effect immediately, citing public safety and labor concerns.
  • Federal investigators from FMCSA and the Department of Transportation are probing the August 12 crash, and officials said the driver failed an English assessment, answering 2 of 12 questions and recognizing 1 of 4 road signs.
  • Harjinder Singh has been returned to Florida from California to face three counts of vehicular homicide and is expected to enter immigration proceedings after the state case.
  • DOT findings say Singh entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 and later obtained commercial driver’s licenses in Washington and California, prompting scrutiny of state licensing practices.
  • California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office and DHS offered conflicting accounts about whether Singh previously received a federal work permit, underscoring a broader federal–state clash over vetting and licensing.