By Muhammad Mamman
the United States has suspended work visas for Nigerian and other foreign truck drivers, with immediate effect, as part of President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration crackdown.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision on Thursday, warning that the influx of foreign drivers jeopardizes American lives and jeopardizes the livelihoods of local truckers.
“Effective immediately, we are halting the issuance of work visas for commercial truck drivers,” Mr Rubio declared. “The growing presence of foreign drivers operating heavy goods vehicles on US roads poses a serious risk to public safety and undermines the economic security of American truckers.”
This decision aligns with President Trump’s stringent immigration policies since his return to the White House in January 2025.
The administration has also introduced a controversial $15,000 bond requirement for visa applicants from countries with unreliable databases or high rates of visa overstays.
Under a 12-month pilot programme launched by the State Department, travellers seeking business or tourism visas must deposit between $5,000 and $15,000 to ensure they leave the US before their visas expire.
This rule, effective from Wednesday, applies to individuals from designated countries, including those who have obtained “citizenship by investment” without residency requirements, and requires travel through specific airports.
In a further tightening of immigration protocols, the US Embassy in Nigeria has mandated that all visa applicants disclose their social media usernames from the past five years on the DS-160 application form.
“Applicants must certify that all provided information is accurate,” the embassy stated. “Failure to disclose social media details could result in visa denial and future ineligibility.”
