Chandigarh: In response to rising concerns within the Punjabi diaspora in the United States, Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora has formally requested the intervention of the Ministry of External Affairs following reports that the US government has temporarily suspended the issuance of work visas for commercial drivers. The move reportedly follows a tragic road accident in Florida involving a Punjabi-origin truck driver.
In a letter addressed to External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Arora emphasized the urgent need for diplomatic engagement with US authorities. He expressed concern over the blanket nature of the visa pause, warning that it could unfairly impact a large segment of the Indian community, particularly the estimated 1.5 lakh Punjabis employed in America’s trucking sector.
“Individual Actions Shouldn’t Punish an Entire Community”
While acknowledging the gravity of the Florida incident, Arora highlighted that using an isolated case to justify a broad suspension is “unjust” and could severely disrupt the livelihoods of thousands of law-abiding workers. He stressed that the Punjabi community has long been an integral part of the American logistics and supply chain, contributing consistently through hard work and resilience.
“The policy of pausing visas is causing immense distress. The livelihoods of thousands are at stake, and this also risks damaging India’s image abroad,” Arora noted.
Key Demands Put Forth
On behalf of the Government of Punjab, Arora urged the central government to take immediate and specific actions:
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Direct the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Washington to engage with US officials at the highest levels to clarify the scope and expected duration of the visa pause.
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Convey to US authorities that penalizing an entire community for the actions of a single individual is unjust and counterproductive.
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Ensure the establishment of a transparent and fair framework for evaluating visa applications from commercial drivers in the future.
Support for the Diaspora
The letter reflects growing anxiety among the Punjabi diaspora, which forms a significant portion of commercial drivers in North America. Industry experts have also warned that halting visas for this group could impact the US supply chain, which already faces driver shortages.
Arora concluded the letter by reiterating the Punjab government’s full support for its overseas citizens and called on the Centre to demonstrate India’s commitment to protecting its diaspora’s rights and dignity on the global stage.
A copy of the letter was also marked to Indian Ambassador to the US, Shri Vinay Mohan Kwatra, for immediate attention.
The move has been welcomed by advocacy groups and migrant worker associations, who say the issue needs urgent resolution to avoid long-term repercussions for families reliant on overseas employment.
