Homeland Security teases partnership with USDOT to stop unqualified drivers from obtaining CDLs from ‘sanctuary’ states
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says it will assist the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) in stopping non-citizen drivers from obtaining commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) from “sanctuary” states.
On August 20, 2025, DHS issued a statement via social media condemning the state of California for providing Harjinder Singh with a CDL and vowing to partner with USDOT on CDL enforcement:
“Harjinder Singh, an illegal alien from India who killed three innocent people, FAILED an English Language Proficiency assessment. Singh provided correct responses to just 2 of 12 verbal questions and only accurately identifying 1 of 4 highway traffic signs. And yet, Gavin Newsom’s sanctuary California gave this illegal alien who cannot speak English a Commercial Drivers License to drive an 18-wheeler. DHS will work with USDOT to root out and prevent illegal aliens from obtaining these licenses from sanctuary jurisdictions that put American drivers and passengers in danger.“
UPDATE: Harjinder Singh, an illegal alien from India who killed three innocent people, FAILED an English Language Proficiency assessment. Singh provided correct responses to just 2 of 12 verbal questions and only accurately identifying 1 of 4 highway traffic signs.
And yet,… pic.twitter.com/AwndMrW9Vm
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) August 20, 2025
Singh was behind the wheel of a semi truck during a triple fatality crash on the Florida Turnpike on August 12 and has since been charged with vehicular homicide. He has also been placed on an ICE detainer due to his immigration status.
“Sanctuary” States Under Fire From USDOT, DHS
While California has come under heavy criticism for issuing a limited-term/non-domiciled CDL to Singh in July 2024, an August 19 statement from USDOT regarding Singh and his employer White Hawk Carriers, Inc. also places blame for the fatal crash on Washington State and New Mexico for violating Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules.
USDOT accused Washington State of issuing a regular full-term CDL to Singh even though “asylum seekers or individuals without legal status are NOT eligible for this type of license.”
In July 2025, USDOT said that the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) conducted a roadside inspection of Singh and issued a speeding ticket, but there is no indication that an English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment was administered. Officials accused NMSP of failing to enforce lack of ELP as an out-of-service violation, despite the requirement being in effect since June 25, 2025.
USDOT is currently at work on a nationwide audit into state policies for issuing non-domiciled CDLs, “specifically reviewing the potential for unqualified individuals obtaining licenses and posing a hazard on our roads.”