In a move that has sparked considerable debate, the United States government has declared an immediate suspension on the issuance of work visas for Nigerian and other foreign truck drivers. The announcement, made on Thursday by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, cites concerns over job security for American citizens and the potential safety risks posed by a growing number of foreign truck drivers operating on U.S. roads.
Secretary Rubio stated, the increasing presence of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers.
This decision aligns with President Donald Trump’s renewed focus on immigration control since assuming office in January 2025. As part of the administration’s latest measures, travelers from countries with high visa overstay rates or inadequate travel databases will now be required to post a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to secure specific U.S. visa categories.
This pilot program, spanning 12 months, aims to ensure that visitors depart the country before their visas expire. Additionally, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has mandated that all visa applicants disclose their social media usernames from the past five years on their application forms. The embassy has cautioned that failure to provide this information could result in application rejection and potential ineligibility for future visa consideration.
