The Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) confirmed that Harjinder Singh, an illegal immigrant truck driver, failed English language proficiency (ELP) and road sign tests. These assessments are designed to ensure drivers can operate safely and communicate effectively, as they are critical for driving in the U.S. Singh’s failure to meet these basic requirements could have contributed to the fatal crash in Fort Pierce, Florida.
The crash, which resulted in the deaths of three people, has drawn attention to the complexities surrounding legal status and driver qualifications. Singh was reportedly operating his commercial vehicle when he made a U-turn on the Florida Turnpike, leading to a jackknifing crash with a minivan. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident to determine the exact cause and any lapses in regulatory oversight.
Following the crash, Singh was arrested and charged with three counts of vehicular homicide. He was apprehended in Stockton, California, where he had previously obtained a commercial driver’s license. The DOT revealed that Singh was issued a regular full-term commercial driver’s license in Washington in July 2023, despite being an illegal immigrant, which is not allowed under U.S. law. This led to further scrutiny of the licensing process and its adherence to federal guidelines.
The incident has also intensified the political discourse around immigration and work permits. A year later, Singh was granted a limited-term/non-domiciled commercial driver’s license in California. However, the DOT is currently examining whether this license was issued in compliance with federal regulations. This has prompted a public debate, with California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom defending his state’s actions, while officials from the Trump administration have criticized the process.
Newsom’s office has attempted to shift the blame to the Trump administration, citing that Singh’s work authorization was denied initially but later approved under Biden. However, McLaughlin from the Trump administration has clarified that Singh’s work permit was denied under Trump, but it was later approved under Biden. This has led to accusations that the state of California violated federal laws, as the issuance of a work permit should be a federal responsibility.
The ongoing controversy highlights the broader implications of immigration policy and the responsibilities of state and federal governments in regulating the labor and transportation sectors. As the investigations into the crash and licensing procedures continue, the incident serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of inadequate legal status and regulatory compliance.