Chandigarh/London: A petition calling for leniency towards Harjinder Singh, an Indian-origin truck driver charged with vehicular homicide and manslaughter in the United States, has garnered more than 2.5 million signatures worldwide, sparking a diplomatic stir and concerns over immigration policy impacts on the Punjabi diaspora.

Singh, 28, originally from Tarn Taran district in Punjab, is accused of causing a fatal highway crash in Florida after allegedly taking a wrong turn while driving a commercial truck. The accident resulted in the deaths of three individuals. Following the incident, Singh reportedly fled to California but was later arrested and extradited back to Florida.

The growing petition, circulated widely across social media platforms and community networks, urges US authorities to consider the circumstances of the incident and to avoid overly punitive measures. Supporters argue that Singh deserves a fair trial and compassion, rather than becoming the face of broader immigration policy changes.

The case has escalated into a larger political issue after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a temporary suspension of work visas for foreign commercial truck drivers—an unprecedented move reportedly triggered by the Florida crash. The decision has caused widespread anxiety among the estimated 150,000 Punjabi truckers working across the United States, many of whom are legally employed and contribute significantly to the country’s supply chain.

In response, Punjab Industry Minister Sanjeev Arora has written to India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, calling for urgent diplomatic intervention. In his letter, Arora expressed deep concern over the visa suspension and its impact on law-abiding Punjabi migrants.

“While we fully acknowledge the seriousness of the incident and the need for justice, the subsequent broad policy of pausing visas is causing immense distress among the Punjabi community,” Arora wrote. “A blanket restriction in response to the alleged actions of one individual is unjust and threatens the livelihoods of thousands.”

Arora urged the Indian government to seek clarification from American authorities regarding the duration and scope of the visa pause and to ensure that the actions of a single person do not result in punitive measures against an entire community.

Meanwhile, the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has also appealed to Jaishankar, requesting legal and consular support for Singh. In a statement, NAPA’s executive director Satnam Singh Chahal said, “The accident was an unfortunate incident, and while due legal process will take its course, it is essential that Singh's rights are protected.”

Chahal further warned that the incident has generated fear among thousands of Punjabi truckers, many of whom now worry about discrimination and job insecurity.

Calls for a balanced and transparent approach are growing, with Indian diaspora groups and human rights organisations urging both the Indian and US governments to handle the matter with sensitivity.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has yet to issue a formal statement on the case. (PTI)