A deadly crash in Florida that made national headlines last week has further exposed the perils of handing driver’s licenses to illegal aliens, particularly in the commercial trucking industry. In response, the Trump administration is vowing a renewed crackdown on states that refuse to comply with English language requirements for truckers.
Shocking video from the Sunshine State on August 14 shows a semi-truck attempting a highly illegal U-turn from the right lane on the Florida Turnpike. The rig appears to be attempting to use a vehicle turnaround reserved only for emergency vehicles when it jackknifes and becomes stuck.
Seconds later, a minivan traveling in the left lane slams into the trailer, killing all three occupants of the passenger vehicle.
Authorities say 28-year-old Harjinder Singh, an illegal alien from India, was the driver of the truck in that video. Singh was traveling with one passenger, Harneet Singh. Both men fled to Sacramento the day after the crash. Singh was arrested in Stockton, California, on August 16 and extradited to Florida.
From the footage, Harjinder Singh appeared largely unbothered by the tragedy. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has slammed him as having “no remorse.”
Singh has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and remains in custody pending deportation proceedings, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
The Department of Transportation said that Singh failed basic competency exams, answering only two of 12 questions correctly on an English language test and identifying just one of four traffic signs.
Despite failing the basic exams, Singh obtained a full-term CDL in Washington in 2023 and a limited-term CDL in California in 2024, even though federal law bars illegal aliens from holding CDLs in either state, Fox News reported. Federal investigators are now reviewing whether both states complied with federal standards.
Washington allows CDL testing in languages other than English, while California administers tests only in English. Federal law requires drivers to read and speak English well enough to converse with the public, understand road signs, and respond to official inquiries.
Singh entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 and was placed in deportation proceedings. The Trump administration denied him a work permit in 2020, but the Biden administration reversed that decision in 2021, giving him legal work authorization that paved the way for his CDL in California. A spokesperson for California Gov. Gavin Newsom told Fox News that Singh was reissued a work permit earlier this year.
In July, New Mexico State Police stopped Singh for speeding but failed to administer an English proficiency test, violating the requirement that had taken effect two weeks earlier.
This episode follows a broader pattern of licensing scandals involving illegal immigrants that AMAC Newsline has previously highlighted. Just last month, in Bay County, Florida, DMV employees were arrested for selling driver’s licenses to illegal aliens for cash, bypassing testing entirely.
Trucking industry leaders say Singh’s case reflects a breakdown that the Biden administration was warned of years ago. Notably, in 2021, the Biden White House launched a “Trucking Action Plan” to “reduce barriers” to obtaining CDLs. This allowed untold numbers of illegal aliens with poor English language skills – and next to no driving experience – to obtain commercial trucking licenses.
The Biden White House cited a “driver shortage” to justify the policy, though many smaller operators argue the real problem is retaining drivers and poor working conditions.
Biden’s plan lowered standards and put unvetted drivers on the road, essentially sacrificing safety to juice employment numbers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration pledged more than $30 million to speed up CDL approvals, a move that prioritized volume over safety.
Raman Dhillon, CEO of the North American Punjabi Trucking Association, met with President Biden and DOT officials and warned that the plan would create a crisis. He described migrants with no U.S. driving experience being granted work permits and CDLs within months, a development he said was not just a trucking problem but “a national security issue.”
“A person crossing the border with no experience or nothing gets a work permit in two months, and within one month gets their CDL. Well, they never even drove a car in this country, so why are we doing this?” Dhillon said he asked the Biden administration.
Dhillon pointed out that some California-based trucking schools were sending applicants to Utah to take advantage of third-party examiners who allow unlimited test attempts, making it easier to obtain a CDL despite lacking basic competency.
He further said DMVs and schools issued licenses “left and right,” sometimes training drivers on box trucks instead of tractor-trailers or skipping key skills tests. Dhillon accused federal regulators of ignoring reports about these practices and allowing unqualified drivers onto the road.
His warnings were brushed aside as the administration leaned into the “driver shortage” narrative. Dhillon warned: “If your family or my family are driving and the truck driver coming behind doesn’t know English, and the sign says slow down and he doesn’t…”
That warning has now proven prescient as Singh, an illegal alien driver who failed basic competency tests in California, has taken the lives of three people in Florida.
Truckers have long voiced frustration about the dangers posed by colleagues who cannot communicate in English. Recent Overdrive polling found that 61 percent of truckers believe at least 15 percent of drivers cannot meet English standards, and three-quarters doubt foreign nationals can operate trucks safely under current rules.
The Trump administration has already pledged to crack down on truck drivers who can’t meet federal standards, and reiterated that promise following the deadly crash in Florida. In April, Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to enforce the English requirement for CDL holders. The order requires drivers who fail proficiency standards to be taken off the road and could bar them from obtaining licenses in the future.
“Proficiency in English… should be a non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers,” the order states, “Drivers need to provide feedback to their employers and customers and receive related directions in English. This is common sense.”
Trump’s order also calls for a review of state-issued licenses, with particular attention to sanctuary states that have issued CDLs to non-citizens.
The real tragedy of the deadly Florida crash was that it was entirely preventable and predictable. It was the foreseeable result of intentional choices by the Biden administration and Democrat sanctuary states that have made American roadways less safe.
The facts are that Singh should never have been on the road; he was in the country illegally, denied a work permit under Trump, and was unable to pass basic language and road sign tests. Yet the Biden administration granted him a work permit, California and Washington licensed him anyway, and New Mexico failed to enforce the law when it had the chance. All three states are run by Democrats.
This is a harrowing reminder of the cost of sanctuary state policies and the Biden administration’s permissive approach to immigration and licensing. Nobody can bring back the lives lost, but Trump’s directive may be a first step toward restoring enforcement and preventing future tragedies.
Sarah Katherine Sisk is a proud Hillsdale College alumna and a master’s student in economics at George Mason University. You can follow her on X @SKSisk76.
And to think 2.1 million people have signed a petition to grant leniency in his case. Should law suits (not that I am for sue happy) in wrongful death be brought against the states of California and Washington in issuing CDL by members of the family killed in this preventable accident.
No way should anyone drive any kind of vehicle without knowledge of our language. That is an accident waiting to happen.
I give thanks every day that we have President Trump. Illegals from all over the world flooded the USA and most don’t give a hoot about the country. These illegals violated border laws today don’t care about American culture. Welfare, food stamps (SNAP), subsidies, etc. that’s why they come Then they kill our citizens because they can’t read English or understand our laws. Deport them all no matter where they came from or how minor a crime they committed.
The State of FL should instigate a multi million dollar lawsuit, on behalf of the deceased individual family, against the State of CA, and the “Governor” in particular, for not complying with federal law in issuing a CDL! I wonder if Governor Neusome would have the same feelings about illegals if it were his famliy
Just another example of Demonrats chronic ineptitude.
This is another example of the Biden administration lawlessness. Anything goes. If you come here illegally you have privileges that exceed even the citizens. It’s disgusting what the Biden administration has created in this country. Breakdown of law and order. Breakdown of the English language. Nobody coming here should be able to take any test in their native language. You can’t speak English you can’t become employed nor become a citizen. Our country is overrun with people unable and/or unwilling to learn the language. People that have been here 20-30 years still don’t speak English well enough to tell the drs in ER what is ailing them. I have seen it with my own eyes. Is that what America has become an immoral, lawless anything goes country? The dems fight to keep these illegals here. Protect them from all sides. Even though many of them are criminals. Come here to get rich but not assimilate into society. The dems want them here as voters and the migrants to get rich. Nobody cares about them. Biden didn’t have a plan as to where to house these people. Was upset when border states shipped them up north. Biden just thought let the border states take care of the millions and millions he let in. From criminals to gang members to drug traffickers, human traffickers. The Mexican Cartels made millions bringing these people here. Many of our young people were killed with all the fentanyl tat was brought into this country unabated. It was a free for all under Biden. Stealing from stores got so bad toothpaste etc had to be under lock and key. Dozens and dozens of stores closed because of these thefts especially in blue states. It is never reported but these blue sanctuary states are becoming the slums of America. The standard of living is costlier than in the red states. The lawlessness, homelessness, and crime is rampant. Well, they raise the taxes some more. Why not. We on the right don’t say anything. And we have to. They have been screaming too long and it has brought us nothing but destruction poverty and lawlessness. All these people who came here illegally are not entitled to a hearing or due process. They stepped foot in this country we should put them across the border and have them walk back from whence they came. This babying and providing flights back and incentives to pay to go home is ridiculous. They broke the law civil or criminal they broke the law. Come here legally, assimilate and speak the language and make America Great Again. Our forefathers did and we can do it again. .
There are still thousands of non english speaking flip flop wearing illegal semi drivers on the roads. It’s dangerous for anybody on the road. If DOT and ICE would go to truck stops you’d find far more unqualified illegal drivers there than at weigh stations. If the government would also give a phone number to call and report these types of semi drivers found at these truck stops you’d get a lot more of them off the road faster.
On behalf of the deceased, Fl should institute a multi million dollar lawsuit against CA for handing out a CDL contrary to federal guidelines
Not only that, but biden’s policies on the petroleum industry caused the Ukraine war. He ran the price of oil up so much due to his war on petroleum, that Russia decided to take over the Ukraine which his rich in petroleum. That is the backbone of the Russian economy. Donald Trump’s going to take Russia down just by dropping the price of oil he’s going to crash their economy if they don’t stop the war. Essentially you’re safe if you say that the Democrat party is responsible for every disaster in this country. And they spend the rest of their time trying to blame Donald Trump
Biden Administration is really total joke that made it possible for country to fail!
Biden and Democrat policies always seem to result in people getting killed or hurt (physically or other).
More innocent American blood on the hands of Joe “devout Catholic” Biden and his supporters. The killer driver showed as much remorse or empathy towards the victims as the Biden family. .
Another tragedy that could have AND should have been prevented. Biden and the liberal state licensing bureaucracies have blood on their hands. Way to go, Traitor Joe!!!!
Just one more horrific and tragic example of DAMNOCRAP POLICY INSANITY.
EVERY IDEA, EVERY TAX, EVERY POLICY, AND BASICALLY EVERYTHING a left-wing, progressive, America-hating, Socialist/Commie is involved with or does, ends in complete ruin, bringing tragic heartache to tens of millions of it’s victims, to include severe depression, bankruptcy, and across the board pain and misery.
But who is REALLY TO BLAME for these never-ending nightmares from hell?
IGNORANTLY ARROGANT, CRIME-LOVING, AMERICA-HATING DUMBA$$ DEMORAT VOTERS.
They (and RINOs) make up the largest numbers of America’s ENEMIES WITHIN and are SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for ALL of society’s horrors.
Deportation is a must. Two wrongs do not make it ‘right.’
“Unlimited test attempts?” What a GREAT [TFIC] policy! Maybe that’s what the union teachers do to turn out walking idiots! Let’s face it–EVERTHING Biden touched turned to donkey EXCREMENT!
Gavin Newsom is also to blame. He allows all illegal aliens into the state of California. The illegals can obtain a driver’s license in the state and DMV, because the employees are forbidden from asking if they are U.S. citizens, will issue the driver’s license and registered them to vote. NEWSOM WANTS TO BE PRESIDENT. HE WILL DESTROY THIS COUNTRY AS WE KNOW IT JUST LIKE HE DESTROYED CALIFORNIA.
Bad enough there’s a very lax process in the individual states that allow people to get a regular license without having documentation but that regular license also has a written test which requires some kind of reading ability. Plus contrary to whatever illusion, driving is not a skill learned by playing an app, especially when on the real road conditions where YIELDING to conditions on the road is imperative. Responsible drivers are not re-enacting GTA when driving on real road conditions. Also for some reason, the requirement to understand words and signs —a reading skill is considered to be harassment and discrimination despite the necessity of having that reading skill is the major skill needed to do the job. Why do you think customers have hassles with delivery of their packages—the delivery agents can’t read the entire label beyond knowing that a certain address location gets packages and now we are learning that people driving those big massive trucks are no idea how to drive those vehicles safely on our roads. We need to stop being so sympathetic start enforcement of the job requirements for that job. Like I stated earlier—there is more to driving than sitting behind the wheel, turning in the engine and putting a foot on the gas pedal.
Biden’s presidency and his name will go down in infamy.
Democrats are just insane! The Biden ATF shut down many gun shop owners for paperwork errors but allowed mass murder on our highways for hoped for voters.
The way to stop this insanity is to cut the heads off the snakes in high places that have no regard for US citizens in their quest for power!
That family that lost three precious loved ones can send Joe Biden their thanks for overturning Trump’s initial ruling denying this “ILLEGAL ALIEN” a work permit and scheduling his deportation! The simple fact is that the blood is on Bidens hands!!!
they have been letting aliens that couldn’t speak English obtain cdl’s for years. The bubble finally burst.
As a retired trucker of 42 years I can remember a time when English proficiency was a requirement. It was not enforced because small companies struggling to compete could not afford to pay decent drivers a livable wage. Conglomerates like Amazon and Fed-X hire these 2,3,4, truck companies to haul their freight, so called independent operators, so they don’t have to pay wages, benefits, maintenance on trucks etc. These small companies cut corners on maintenance and drivers wages to compete. These foreign drivers are recruited in foreign countries with promises to make a good wage. When the get here they are trapped in a job where they can’t even afford to eat. Slave labor on 18 wheels. And the carnage is the end result. I don’t even feel safe driving my own pickup truck on the interstate knowing all about the industry and what it has become. Trucking used to be a proud profession, knights of the highway, not any more. I’m almost ashamed to admit I’m a retired trucker. HAPPY TRAILS PEOPLE. America needs do do better..and fast.
Please do not forget this also happened in Austin, Texas earlier this year!
Biden, ALONG with all his voters who were stupid enough to vote for him as President are responsible for the disarray this country is in. …..AND don’t forget the 9% inflation rate he caused with his policies….it’s costing ALL of us more to live because of them.
Whoever issued a commercial driver license to (an illegal) who could not speak/read English ultimately caused this accident. But the U turn immediately caused the accident.
Execute illegal aliens who kill Americans through whatever means.
Under Biden we had a president “shortage” — one in which a mock president was never in charge, not whose decisions if he actually made them, were nothing but disastrous.
I agree 100% with President Trump.
Well I know these stinking democrats will answer on judgement day, but it sure would be nice to see some justice now for all the evil they have done.
Whole Biden Admin is corrupt
Im SWM 70 from CA trying to renew drivers lisc Yet they dole them out for illegals thus More crashes etc. Taxpaying voter.
Statewide for CA
Should normally take Vision Test & pass for lisc
Been passed around CA DMV offices: Pasadena, Newhall, then El Monte for Vision Tewst for over 70 age drivers.
I am Thankful President Trump is deporting all illegal Aliens.
If your illegal you should not be able to have a job in the USA.
Period! NO EXCEPTIONS!
The families should sue the Governor and also Biden!
This guy should not be out on bail and all those that feel sorry for this guy next time it might be you killed or a member of your family I wonder will you feel the same as you do now. What do people feel sorry for this guy who should have never had a CDL in the first place. He should be deported and those that feel sorry for him go back with him you would fit better in his country then staying in this country letting people go after the kill someone the ones that stick up for him are disgusting people that should not live in this country as well. .If he is not deported he should face the death row in prison
For the life of me I don’t understand why when these illegals kill our citizens and get rewarded by deporting them instead of the death penalty. I mean no wonder they want to come here, commit deadly crimes and get sent back.No punishment just a thank you for reducing the world population now we’re sending back so you can do it again. We have to send a strong message so they think twice B4 they cross our boarders.
I thought President Trump took away the trucking company’s license for employing the illegal driver, who accidentally killed the three people.
The irritating thing is that a totally incompetent illegal person is just handed a license to operate CMV. The process and licensing was taken over by the federal government back in the late 1980’s, the states only license for convenience. All licensing is approved by the feds, states don’t have the authority . Yet myself and every other natural citizen is observed and monitored constantly, I licensed prior to the CDL system was initiated, so I had to re-test when that happened to “update” my license. Then I had to redo my bus license a few years later, not to mention hazmat redo’s every 5 years. Always treated like a criminal the whole time, despite an accident free career. What gives? The true US citizens are always getting spit on. All because of idiot decom- o- rats.
I held a class A CDL. I had to jump through hoops to get it and retain it. Including a yearly physical and random drug testing. Did this illegal alien even have to take a road test to get his CDL? It appears that blue states hand out CDL’s like candy on Valentine’s Day to illegal aliens.
It will take some challenges !
The other problem is that these illegal drivers and truck business owners have cut the rates so bad that a legal American citizen truck driver/owner cannot possible make a decent living with driving a truck. They tout that there is a driver shortage but that is not the case. Company’s can pay better wages but don’t as long as there is cheap labor to fill the driver’s seat.