Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has intensified her criticism of sanctuary states, accusing them of allowing illegal immigrants to obtain commercial driver’s licenses. Noem warned that untrained drivers are turning 18-wheelers into ‘weapons,’ a claim she made during a segment on ‘America Reports.’ She specifically targeted California Governor Gavin Newsom, who faces accusations of enabling undocumented individuals to secure licenses, including some who failed to provide personal information.
Noem highlighted the deadly crash on a Southern California freeway, where an illegal immigrant truck driver was involved in a fatal accident, as a critical example of the dangers posed by these licenses. The incident, which resulted in three fatalities, has intensified the political debate surrounding immigration policies and road safety. Noem emphasized that saving lives should be a top priority, calling on Newsom to take immediate action to prevent similar tragedies.
In addition, Noem accused both Newsom and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy of enabling undocumented individuals to obtain commercial licenses. Their renewed scrutiny of the issue comes in the wake of the October 21 incident, where 21-year-old Indian national Jashanpreet Singh, allegedly under the influence, drove a semi-truck, triggering a multi-car pileup that led to three fatalities. The Department of Transportation (DOT) report confirmed that the suspect should not have had a license, further fueling the administration’s criticism of Newsom’s policies.
Newsom’s office has defended its stance, arguing that California’s commercial driver’s licensing laws comply with federal regulations. A spokesperson for Newsom previously stated that drivers holding California-issued CDLs are involved in fatal crashes at a rate far lower than the national average, positioning California as a model for safety. The controversy has sparked a heated debate over immigration enforcement and its impact on public safety, with critics accusing the administration of focusing on political scapegoats rather than addressing systemic issues.
Meanwhile, Noem has pointed to the success of DHS’s immigration enforcement efforts, citing the arrests of dozens of illegal immigrant truck drivers through initiatives like ‘Operation Midway Blitz,’ which removed over 140 illegal aliens from Indiana. She praised the ‘brave men and women of ICEgov’ and Indiana State Police for their efforts to remove criminal illegal aliens from communities and roads. The situation underscores the tension between immigration policies and public safety, with both federal and state governments facing scrutiny over their approaches.