Rubio pauses worker visas for commercial truck drivers after fatal Florida crash

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Thursday that he would immediately halt the issuance of worker visas for commercial drivers following a tragic incident in Florida where an illegal immigrant truck driver was involved in a crash that claimed the lives of three individuals.

Rubio emphasized the importance of public safety as the driving force behind this decision.

“The growing presence of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on American roads poses a threat to the lives of Americans and undermines the livelihoods of our domestic truckers,” Rubio stated.

Investigation into Illegal Immigrant Trucker’s Licensing Before Fatal Florida Crash

The concerns surrounding foreign nationals driving commercial trucks escalated after Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old illegal immigrant, was operating a commercial truck on the Florida Turnpike in Fort Pierce. Singh allegedly attempted an unauthorized U-turn, resulting in a collision with a minivan that tragically claimed the lives of three passengers.

Subsequent investigations revealed that Singh had not successfully passed English and road tests before obtaining his commercial driver’s license.

Insights into How Illegal Immigrant Trucker Obtained Commercial License Prior to Deadly Florida Crash

Harjinder Singh, an illegal immigrant from India, was arrested for his role in a fatal crash in Fort Pierce, Florida, where three individuals lost their lives. (United States Marshals Service)

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Singh obtained a full-term commercial driver’s license in Washington in July 2023, despite lacking legal eligibility. Additionally, he received a limited-term commercial driver’s license in California in 2024.

The conflict between California Governor Gavin Newsom and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding Singh has been intensifying. Newsom’s office disclosed that Singh acquired a work permit during the first term of President Donald Trump.

Harjinder Singh being escorted onto a plane by Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and law enforcement in Stockton, California. (Benjamin Fanjoy/AP Photo)

Tricia McLaughlin, the DHS assistant secretary for public affairs, responded to these claims by stating that Singh was denied a permit in September 2020, during the Trump administration, but was eventually granted one in June 2021, under the Biden administration.

Singh has been extradited from California to Florida to face three counts of vehicular homicide.