“We Built This Industry Too”: Sikh and Punjabi Truckers Speak Out After Visa Freeze

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Introduction: From Respect to Risk — Fast

They’ve kept freight moving through blizzards, pandemics, and border waits.

They’ve bought their own rigs, trained family, built fleets, and shown up when others didn’t.

But now, Sikh and Punjabi truckers across the U.S. and Canada are feeling like they’re being blamed for the entire highway.

After a tragic crash in Florida involving an Indian-origin driver, the U.S. government froze several visa programs used by trucking companies to recruit foreign-born CDL holders — sparking deep anxiety in Sikh and Punjabi communities that have long been part of the backbone of this industry.

What Sparked the Outrage? – One Crash, Millions Affected

On August 12, 2025, truck driver Harjinder Singh was involved in a fatal accident on Florida’s Turnpike after making an illegal U-turn. Three people lost their lives.

Harjinder, in the U.S. on a commercial truck driving visa, was charged with vehicular homicide and denied bond. His case has become a lightning rod.

What followed was a swift policy reaction:

The U.S. paused new visa applications for truckers under H-2B, E-2, and EB-3 programs.

Public rhetoric painted foreign drivers as a “safety threat.”

Media outlets fixated on the driver’s immigration status, not systemic issues like training gaps or dispatch pressure.

Why It Hit So Hard – A Culture That Carried the Freight

Here’s what most folks don’t realize:

Over 30% of truck drivers in Canada are of South Asian descent — and a growing number in the U.S. are too.

Many Punjabi truckers own small fleets, operate as independent O/Os, and create jobs for others.

Driving isn’t just work — for many immigrant families, it’s the first step to financial freedom.

But now?

“We feel like we’re all being punished for one tragedy,”
says Gursimran, a third-generation trucker from California.
“When a white driver crashes, it’s ‘an accident.’ When it’s us, it’s a policy change.”

Let that sink in.

Multiple Perspectives – Real Talk from the Road

Punjabi Driver in Ohio:

“We came here legally. We studied. We passed CDL tests. So why are we being stopped from bringing our cousins or brothers here to work the same way?”

American Fleet Manager:

“Some of our best, most reliable drivers are from Sikh communities. They take pride in their work. It hurts to see them all painted with the same brush.”

DOT Insider:

“This visa freeze was political. But it doesn’t fix the real problem — which is companies rushing drivers into seats with minimal oversight just to fill contracts.”

Industry Impact – Delays, Shortages & More Division

Let’s not forget — the trucking industry is already dealing with:

A labor shortage

Driver burnout

A shrinking pipeline of young drivers

Now, this visa halt:

Slows down companies who rely on immigrant talent.

Fuels fear and confusion in Sikh trucking networks.

Leaves families stuck in limbo — waiting on immigration paperwork that may never get processed.

The ripple effect is real — not just in job sites, but in gurdwaras, WhatsApp chats, and dispatch offices across the country.

The Heart of the Matter – Respect Over Reaction

What most drivers from the Punjabi and Sikh communities are asking isn’t complicated:

Fair treatment

Clear policy

Recognition that one driver’s mistake doesn’t represent an entire community.

“We wear turbans, but under the turban is a brain and a heart — just like every other trucker,” says Amrit, a fleet owner in Bakersfield.
“We just want to drive, earn, and contribute.”

Where Do We Go From Here? – Reform Without Racism

Let’s be honest — there’s room for better safety measures.

More training.

Stricter onboarding.

Better language support.

But this can be done without turning a visa freeze into a community freeze-out.

What drivers want isn’t a pass — it’s a path forward that protects both road safety and their livelihoods.

📢 Call to Action

👉 Whether you’re an immigrant, owner-op, company driver, or just tired of being a scapegoat — check out LifeAsATrucker.com
for insight, resources, and real support.

👉 Want an exit plan that doesn’t rely on political nonsense? Start building income while you’re still trucking at RetireFromTrucking.com

Final Word: Don’t Let a Headline Define a Heritage

The Sikh and Punjabi trucking community helped build this industry.
Now they’re being sidelined because of a single headline.

If we don’t speak up for them now, who's gonna speak up for us when we’re next?