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The U.S. has stopped issuing work visas for commercial truck drivers
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the suspension Thursday, calling it effective immediately
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Rubio said the growing number of foreign truckers on American highways is endangering lives
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and cutting into the livelihoods of U.S. drivers. The State Department described the move
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as part of a comprehensive review of how driver applicants are screened and vetted
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Officials said the pause applies to all nationalities, not just one country
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The announcement comes the same week federal investigators opened a probe into a deadly crash in Florida involving a driver from India
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The Transportation Department said that driver failed an English proficiency test, but still managed to get commercial licenses in Washington and California
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the accident a preventable tragedy and ordered stricter nationwide enforcement of English requirements
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Industry groups say the scrutiny is necessary, even as the country faces a shortage of roughly 60,000 truckers
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The American Trucking Association said it supports the move and called for stricter enforcement of entry-level training standards for all drivers
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Officials said the pause will remain in place until the government completes its review of visa screening and licensing rules
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