Jalandhar/ Rataul, Aug. 25 -- The decision by US government to freeze work visas for commercial truck drivers following a fatal accident involving an Indian driver has left thousands of Punjabi families facing an uncertain future, with over 2,500 licences already suspended since April, groups in India have said. The crackdown followed a fatal crash on August 12 when Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old from Rataul village in Tarn Taran district, allegedly made an illegal U-turn on a Florida highway, killing three Americans. Singh, who faces vehicular homicide charges with a potential 50-year sentence, has his next court hearing on August 27. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has intensified enforcement under its 'America First' policy, making English proficiency tests mandatory for truckers from April 1 onwards. Over 2,500 drivers, predominantly Punjabis, have had their licences placed out of service since the policy's implementation. According to the North American Punjabi Trucking Association (NAPTA), Punjabi drivers comprise an estimated 55% of California's 150,000 -strong trucking workforce, filling critical shortages of local drivers across states including California, Florida, Texas, Indiana, and New Jersey. The trucking industry has long attracted Punjabi immigrants due to lucrative earning potential, with drivers earning $7,000-8,000 monthly, according to Harpal Singh, a US citizen who owns five trucks. However, new Punjabi drivers often struggle with communication barriers, traffic sign comprehension, and long working hours, leading to violations including over-speeding. Balbir Singh from Jalandhar, whose son Parambir Singh holds a commercial driving licence in California, said US authorities have tightened checks on truckers, conducting random document inspections alongside mandatory English tests. "I have told my son to always carry complete documentation and remain extra cautious whilst driving," he said. NAPTA president Raman Dhillon criticised politicians for exploiting the Florida tragedy while ignoring other road accidents involving non-Indian drivers. He highlighted systemic issues including trucking schools issuing licences after just 7-10 days with minimal road training and reports of people purchasing licences from Utah without proper testing. "It's time the government investigates what's really going on in the trucking industry. We need accountability, real investigations, and a safer system for everyone," Dhillon stated. Meanwhile, residents of Rataul village have rallied behind Harjinder Singh, demanding thorough investigation and leniency. "He did not commit this incident deliberately-call it bad fate," said Sharanjit Singh Rataul, appealing for community support. Singh, who migrated to the US in 2018 via Mexico through the 'donkey route' and currently holds political asylum status, was arrested six days after the accident at his California home by Florida police....