Gavin Newsom's policies linked to illegal trucker causing death of three Americans
- Harjinder Singh, an illegal immigrant trucker, was involved in a fatal accident in Florida, killing three Americans.
- The incident drew criticism from DHS officials towards California Governor Gavin Newsom, highlighting issues with sanctuary policies and illegal driver licenses.
- The public outcry and subsequent political tensions point towards a contentious debate over immigration policies and public safety.
In August 2023, a tragic incident occurred in St. Lucie County, Florida, involving Harjinder Singh, an illegal alien truck driver who made an illegal U-turn, resulting in the deaths of three Americans. Singh, an Indian national, had obtained a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) in California despite being in the U.S. illegally. The circumstances surrounding his license issuance can be traced back to California's sanctuary policies, which allow undocumented immigrants to acquire such licenses. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials have since publicly criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom, attributing responsibility for the accident and the ensuing fatalities to the state's immigration laws. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that the DMV's action in providing Singh a CDL contributed to the incident. In response to the DHS criticism, Newsom's office pointed out that Singh's initial work authorization was rejected under former President Donald Trump's administration but was later approved under President Joe Biden in June 2021. Furthermore, the California DMV has issued licenses to over a million illegal immigrants in a similar policy framework since 2015, aggravating concerns about public safety stemming from undocumented drivers. The incident has intensified political tensions between California and Florida, shedding light on the ongoing debate regarding immigration policies in the U.S. On one side, Florida officials, including Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, directly blamed Newsom for systemic issues that led to the crash, urging the need for accountability and effective policies to protect American citizens. Newsom retaliated by suggesting that Florida authorities mishandled the situation, emphasizing that the arrest of Singh was necessary and that California’s laws are functional and protect residents. The back-and-forth illustrates a significant divide in the approach to immigration and public safety, with both sides engaging in a political feud while the families of the victims mourn their loss.