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2h ago

Federal and California Officials Clash Over Driver’s Licensing After Fatal Florida Crash

Responsibility for Singh’s commercial driver’s credential centers on federal work permit approvals versus California licensing rules.

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The White House on Monday claimed California policies were behind the deaths of three people in a traffic accident in Florida, but got key facts wrong in describing the situation.
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Overview

  • On August 12, Harjinder Singh’s semi-truck made an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike, causing a collision that killed three occupants of a minivan.
  • Singh entered the United States in 2018 and received an Employment Authorization Document in June 2021 after an initial denial in September 2020, then obtained a California commercial driver’s license.
  • DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin publicly blamed California’s policies for enabling Singh’s licensing, while Gov. Newsom’s press office argued federal authorities confirmed and issued his work permit.
  • Singh faces state vehicular homicide charges in Florida and is being held under an ICE detainer as removal proceedings are set to follow the conclusion of his criminal case.
  • The exchange underscores heightened tensions over sanctuary policies, the division of state and federal authority on commercial credentials, and broader immigration enforcement debates.