Questions are emerging regarding how Harjinder Singh, an illegal immigrant, obtained a commercial driver’s license in the United States. Singh is the suspect in a tragic truck crash in Fort Pierce, Florida, that claimed three lives. Reports indicate that Singh failed both English and road tests but still received his commercial driver’s license from Washington in July 2023. He was also granted a limited-term commercial driver’s license in California in 2024, raising concerns about compliance with federal regulations.
Lora Ries, Director of the Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation, sheds light on the issue. “Just as states issue driver’s licenses, they also issue commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). States are not supposed to issue CDLs to a person unless they are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident,” she said. Ries pointed out a crucial loophole: if a state issues a CDL to someone authorized to work, it could sidestep legal restrictions.
Singh’s work authorization was initially denied under the previous administration but later granted under the current administration. “That could be enough to exploit this CDL loophole in a willing state,” she added. To prevent similar tragedies in the future, Ries suggested closing this loophole at the federal level. She urged that the issuance of work authorization should be contingent upon an underlying immigration benefit being granted, rather than simply filed. “Making such authorization contingent on the underlying benefit being granted would significantly reduce benefit fraud and shrink the application backlogs,” Ries noted.
The interaction of state and federal laws complicates the matter further. Some states, including California and Minnesota, permit individuals in the country illegally to drive under certain circumstances, although obtaining a commercial license remains challenging. Recently, a debate erupted on social media between the California governor’s press office and the Department of Homeland Security regarding the issuance of work permits.
In an exchange, a spokesperson for the governor pointed out, “Spoiler alert: it was in 2018 under Trump — whoops.” This comment highlighted the political tensions surrounding immigration policies. The governor’s office contended that Singh met federal and state immigration requirements under the current administration.
As the investigation continues, it becomes clear that the tragic incident has spotlighted significant flaws in the system. The interplay between regulations and the granting of licenses raises critical questions about public safety and immigration policy enforcement.
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