How a single truck U-turn stopped visas for migrant truck drivers in the US (3 photos + 2 videos)
Have you heard about the butterfly effect, when one careless movement of wings in India can cause a hurricane in America? Here's a real example: one Indian truck driver named Harjinder Singh made an illegal U-turn on a highway in Florida, and now thousands of migrant drivers across America are left without a chance of getting a work visa. 
This story was not just a tragedy, but a real trigger for revising immigration policy in the United States. Let's figure out what happened and why it stirred everyone up so much.
On August 12, 2025, on the Florida Turnpike in St. Lucie County, Singh, a 28-year-old driver from India, decided to turn his tractor-trailer across two solid lanes. The result? A black Chrysler Town & Country minivan slammed into his trailer at full speed, trapping it underneath. 
Three people in the minivan were killed: a 30-year-old man, a 37-year-old woman, and a 54-year-old man. Singh and his passenger, a 25-year-old man from California, escaped with minor injuries. Video from inside the truck of Singh calmly parking the car after the crash went viral, adding fuel to the public's anger.
video-How a single U-turn stopped a truck in the US
It gets more interesting. During interrogation, it turned out that Singh had not simply broken the rules. He did not really know English, the guy answered only 2 of 12 oral questions, and recognized only one of four road signs. This is despite the fact that he somehow got a commercial license (CDL) in California.
It turned out that Singh illegally crossed the US border through Mexico in 2018, was detained, but said that he was afraid to return to India. He was released on $5,000 bail, and in 2021, the Biden administration issued him a work permit. This is what allowed him to get a license and get behind the wheel of a multi-ton truck.
The tragedy caused a strong public reaction. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on August 21 an immediate suspension of work visas for foreign commercial truck drivers, including H-2B visas, which are often used to hire temporary workers.
The reason? Two words: road safety and protecting American workers. Rubio said that “the growing number of foreign drivers threatens American lives and undermines the livelihoods of domestic truckers.” That’s not just talk — the decision is backed by Trump’s April 2025 executive order tightening English language requirements for drivers. Since then, more than 3,000 drivers have failed language tests, and now 55 million visa holders are being investigated for violations.
The American Truckers Association (ATA) has supported the ban, calling for rigorous auditing of CDL issuance and more training. But there's another side to the equation: The industry is already suffering from a shortage of 78,800 drivers (2022 figures), and the ban on foreigners could kill the logistics by raising prices. Some immigration lawyers are screaming "discrimination," arguing that one person's actions shouldn't ruin the lives of all foreign drivers. 
Political tensions are running high. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin blamed California Governor Gavin Newsom for his policy of issuing licenses to "illegals" that led to the tragedy. Newsom responded by poking fun at Trump, reminding that Singh entered the country in 2018, under his administration.
While politicians are throwing around accusations, Singh is facing trial on three counts of manslaughter - up to 15 years in prison for each, and then, most likely, deportation.
We, of course, don't care what's going on across the ocean, but we'll keep an eye on them.
