Overview
- Harjinder Singh, 28, was ordered held without bond on three vehicular homicide counts, with an ICE detainer in place as state prosecution and removal proceedings move forward.
- Homeland Security says Singh entered the U.S. unlawfully in 2018 and later obtained a commercial driver’s license in California, a point fueling scrutiny of state licensing practices.
- DOT and FMCSA opened inquiries after officials reported Singh performed poorly on post‑crash English and highway‑sign assessments, raising questions about CDL oversight.
- The State Department clarified that its pause applies to three visa categories used by some commercial drivers, notably H‑2B, with data indicating only a few thousand workers would be affected.
- A Change.org petition seeking clemency topped roughly 1.6 million signatures, drawing backlash and counter‑petitions that call for tougher prosecution and checks on supporters.