Illegal immigrant truck driver accused in deadly Florida crash got Biden work permit after Trump denial: DHS

| Published August 19, 2025

Tragic Turnpike Crash Sparks Political Firestorm Over Licensing, Immigration

Fate, policy, and accountability converge in a tragic August 12, 2025 incident on Florida’s Turnpike—a crash that killed three and reignited fierce debate over immigration policy and state licensing practices.

The Crash

On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, in St. Lucie County, near mile marker 171 north of West Palm Beach, a semi-truck driven by Harjinder Singh, 28, attempted one of the most reckless maneuvers—an illegal U-turn in an “Official Use Only” turnaround zone, crossing into oncoming traffic and imperiling all involved. A minivan struck the truck’s trailer, became lodged underneath, and tragically resulted in three fatalities: a 30-year-old man from Florida City (who later died at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital), a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, and a 54-year-old man from Miami, both killed at the scene.

The Driver: Immigration, Licensing, Custody

Harjinder Singh, from Stockton, California, and an undocumented immigrant, is believed to have entered the U.S. illegally through Mexico in 2018, according to U.S. Homeland Security and Florida authorities. After the crash, he was arrested in California on August 16 and faces three counts of vehicular homicide and immigration violations; ICE has placed an immigration detainer, and authorities expect he’ll be deported once state charges conclude.

How Did He Get Licensed?

Singh possessed a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) issued by California. California is among 19 states (plus D.C.) that issue standard driver’s licenses regardless of immigration status. However, a commercial license presumably requires proof of work authorization. California’s DMV maintains it followed proper procedures—including verification via the Federal SAVE system—and that the federal government confirmed Singh’s legal presence at the time the CDL was issued.

Work Authorization Controversy: Trump vs. Biden

The issuance of Singh’s work permit has become politically charged. Singh’s application was reportedly denied in September 2020 under the Trump administration, but later approved in June 2021 under President Biden. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office contested that claim, asserting that Trump’s administration had initially validated the permit—but DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin countered, clarifying the permit was indeed denied under Trump and granted under Biden.

Political Fallout and Public Safety Debate

• From the Trump administration’s side, DHS and Secretary Kristi Noem sharply criticized California’s licensing policies. Noem blamed California for the crash, calling the licensing of Singh “asinine” and promising to work with the U.S. Department of Transportation to prevent similar cases.

• California officials, in turn, argue they followed federal law and that license issuance did not violate regulations. They also dispute efforts to politicize the tragedy.

Meanwhile, legal experts underscore the severity of Singh’s alleged recklessness. Vehicular homicide in Florida requires proof of “recklessness beyond negligence.” If convicted on all three counts, Singh could face up to 45 years in prison, although such maximum sentences are rarely imposed.

Summary Table

WATCH:

The American Trucking Industry has been gutted by unregulated immigration over the past five years. These “California ” drivers are part of an eco system that puts profit over safety. That puts greed before your family.

A system that not only doesn’t put Americans first but… pic.twitter.com/HZBXWg0eck

— American Truckers (@atutruckers) August 16, 2025

 Implications

🚨 Public Safety Implications

• Raises questions about commercial driver licensing standards in the U.S.

• Puts pressure on state DMVs, especially California, to explain how undocumented immigrants can obtain or maintain Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs).

• Highlights risks of reckless driving by truckers, especially when maneuvering massive vehicles illegally.

🏛️ Immigration Policy Implications

• The case illustrates how federal immigration enforcement gaps can directly affect public safety.

• Sparks debate over work permits—with DHS clarifying Singh’s permit was denied under Trump but approved under Biden.

• Fuels broader debate on whether undocumented immigrants should be allowed access to commercial driving jobs.

⚖️ Legal and Accountability Implications

• Singh faces up to 45 years in prison if convicted on all vehicular homicide counts.

• The ICE detainer ensures deportation after state sentencing, which means taxpayer costs for both incarceration and removal.

• Opens legal challenges against California’s policies, potentially inviting federal oversight.

🌐 Political Implications

• Becomes a flashpoint for Biden vs. Trump immigration policies.

• California vs. federal government tension over licensing and verification procedures.

• Provides fuel for 2025 political campaigns on both sides: one pointing to systemic failure, the other warning against politicizing a tragedy.

💔 Social and Community Implications

• Amplifies grief and outrage in Florida communities who lost loved ones.

• Strengthens public demand for accountability and reform.

• Adds to national unease about border security and enforcement consistency.

 Overall Takeaway:

The Florida Turnpike tragedy is more than just a traffic accident—it is a collision of policy, politics, and public safety. Three innocent lives were lost not simply because of one driver’s reckless decision but also because of broader systemic failures that allowed an undocumented immigrant to obtain a commercial license and operate a massive truck on U.S. highways.

The aftermath exposes the cracks between state and federal authority, between immigration enforcement and licensing oversight, and between competing political narratives. While Washington and Sacramento trade blame, families in Florida are left grieving, and the public is left questioning whether similar tragedies could be prevented with stricter vetting and more consistent enforcement.

Ultimately, this case serves as a stark reminder that decisions made in bureaucratic offices—from the DMV to DHS—have life-and-death consequences on America’s roads. The debate now is whether leaders will treat this as an isolated incident or as a wake-up call to reevaluate immigration, licensing, and public safety policies before another family suffers the same fate.

SOURCES: BREITBART – FL Officials: Illegal Alien Trucker from India Received CDL from California Before Killing 3 Americans

THE GATEWAY PUNDIT – Illegal Alien Truck Driver Who Killed 3 People on Florida Highway Got a Biden Work Permit – After Trump Admin 1.0 Denied Him One

FOX NEWS – Illegal immigrant truck driver accused in deadly Florida crash got Biden work permit after Trump denial: DHS