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Concerns are rising regarding how an illegal immigrant secured a commercial driver’s license before a tragic truck accident in Florida, which claimed the lives of three individuals.
Harjinder Singh, the main suspect in the incident that occurred in Fort Pierce, managed to obtain a commercial driver’s license in Washington in July 2023. This was despite officials confirming he failed both the English and road tests required for such a credential.
Furthermore, Singh entered the United States illegally and later received a limited-term commercial driver’s license in California in 2024. The Department of Transportation is currently investigating whether California adhered to federal regulations in issuing these licenses.
Understanding the Loophole in Licensing
Lora Ries, who serves as the Director of the Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation, provided insights on how this situation could have unfolded.
“States issue both driver’s licenses and commercial driver’s licenses,” Ries stated in a discussion with Fox News Digital. “Legally, these licenses should only be issued to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. However, a loophole exists allowing states to issue commercial licenses to individuals authorized to work in the U.S. This raises significant safety concerns, especially when it comes to commercial driving.”
Singh’s case may be an unfortunate example of this loophole. Notably, the Trump Administration initially denied Singh’s application for work authorization, but the Biden Administration later approved it, providing a potential avenue for Singh to exploit these licensing gaps.
Call for Federal Action
To avert future tragedies involving illegal immigrants and commercial licenses, Ries offered several recommendations for federal action. Her suggestions were aimed at tightening existing regulations to ensure public safety.
“First and foremost, the federal government needs to address this loophole under its interstate commerce clause and federal immigration authority,” she advised. “Second, the Department of Homeland Security should only issue work authorizations after granting the underlying immigration benefit application, rather than simply upon its filing. Too many fraudulent applications lead to the issuance of work permits.”
State Regulations Vary Widely
Some states, including California and Minnesota, permit certain individuals in the country illegally to drive. However, obtaining a commercial driver’s license typically involves more stringent requirements. The ongoing debate around this issue has sparked intense discussions about the need for consistent standards across states.
In light of Singh’s actions, a recent exchange occurred on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, between representatives of California Governor Gavin Newsom and the Department of Homeland Security. The debate centered around the issuance of Singh’s work permit and its implications.
“Why don’t you ask Trump about the driver’s federally issued work permit and when he entered this country?” a spokesperson for Newsom stated. “Spoiler alert: it was in 2018 under Trump — whoops. He would have been eligible in any state. California followed federal law, something the President seems unfamiliar with.”
Disputes Over Work Permits
Adding to the confusion, a statement from the Department of Homeland Security clarified that Singh was reissued an Employment Authorization document on April 9, 2025. This falls within the current presidential term, raising questions over the policies governing work permits for illegal immigrants.
“Three innocent people died in Florida because Gavin Newsom’s California DMV issued an illegal immigrant a commercial driver’s license,” a representative for the Department of Homeland Security expressed on X. “This gut-wrenching tragedy should have been prevented. Our team is committed to collaborating with the Department of Transportation to prevent illegal immigrants from acquiring these licenses in sanctuary jurisdictions that jeopardize public safety.”
Political Tensions Intensify
The back-and-forth between state and federal authorities highlights the sharply divided opinions on immigration, work permits, and public safety. Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, also engaged in the discussion, questioning the legitimacy of claims made by Newsom’s office regarding Singh’s immigration status.
“The federal government under the Trump Administration already confirmed that Singh met federal and state immigration requirements. You issued him a work permit,” McLaughlin responded to a tweet directed at her by Newsom’s office. “As usual, the Trump Administration is either misinformed or deliberately misleading.”
Moreover, McLaughlin specified that Singh’s work authorization was rejected under Trump on September 14, 2020, but later approved under Biden’s administration on June 9, 2021. She emphasized that the state of California follows its own procedures for issuing commercial driver’s licenses, which do not equate to a national standard.
Continuing Investigations
Fox News Digital reached out to both the California Department of Motor Vehicles and the California Attorney General’s office seeking further comments on the issuance of Singh’s commercial licenses. Responses from these offices are pending amidst mounting public scrutiny.
The narrative surrounding Harjinder Singh raises essential questions about immigration policy, state regulations, and public safety. Authorities are now under pressure to review how commercial driver’s licenses are issued and regulated in various states, particularly concerning undocumented immigrants.
Assessing Long-Term Solutions
This incident underscores the urgent need for uniform practices to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Emphasizing enhanced oversight on how states issue commercial and regular licenses can go a long way in ensuring road safety for all. The tragic loss of life serves as a reminder of the critical intersection of immigration policy and public safety.
