The United States government has suspended the issuance of work visas for Nigerian and other foreign truck drivers, citing growing concerns over public safety and the protection of American jobs. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the immediate implementation of the suspension on August 21, 2025, as part of President Donald Trump’s continued clampdown on immigration following his inauguration earlier this year.
Rubio stated, “Effective immediately, we are pausing all issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers. 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.”
This policy shift reflects heightened worries about the potential risks posed by the rising presence of foreign drivers on U.S. highways, both in terms of road safety and job market competition.
In addition to stopping work visa issuance for truck drivers, new visa regulations were introduced targeting countries with high visa overstay rates and weaker travel data systems. Applicants from such countries, including Nigeria, are now required to post a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 before visa approval for certain categories can be granted.
The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria also announced that all visa applicants must disclose their social media handles from the past five years. Failure to comply with this requirement may lead to visa denial and possible ineligibility for future U.S. visas.
These stringent measures align with the Trump administration’s broader immigration policy, which emphasizes tighter control and vetting of foreign entrants to the U.S. These developments have drawn mixed reactions in Nigeria, with concerns about the impact on Nigerians seeking legal opportunities abroad.
While diplomatic channels remain open, the new visa rules underscore increasing challenges Nigerians face in obtaining U.S. visas amid evolving international immigration landscapes.