Homeland Security calls California’s granting of CDL to illegal immigrant in u-turn crash “asinine”

The US Department of Homeland Security is calling one California policy “asinine” after it led to the issuing of a Commercial Drivers License to an illegal immigrant, who recently caused a fatal crash. 

Harjinger Singh was the truck driver involved in the fatal crash on the Florida Turnpike on August 12th that killed three people after their car slammed into his trailer as he attempted an illegal u-turn. 

Since then, investigation has revealed that Singh entered the US illegally from Mexico in 2018, and was issued a CDL in the state of California. California is one of 19 states that issues licenses without consideration of immigration status, reported WUSF.

In light of the situation, Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and spokesperson for Homeland Security, has spoken out against the policy. 

“Three innocent people were killed in Florida because Gavin Newsom’s California Department of Motor Vehicles issued an illegal alien a Commercial Driver’s License—this state of governance is asinine,” McLaughlin stated in a Department of Homeland Security press release. 

“How many more innocent people must die before Gavin Newsom stops playing games with the safety of the American public? We pray for the victims and their families. Secretary Noem and DHS are working around the clock to protect the public and get these criminal illegal aliens out of America.”

Singh is currently in custody on three counts of vehicular homicide. 

“ICE issued an immigration detainer on August 16, 2025, after Singh was arrested, to ensure he remains in custody after his state prosecution, preventing him from slipping back onto America’s streets,” the press release continued. “This detainer ensures he will be transferred to ICE custody the moment his criminal case concludes.”