White House Blames California Policy After Crash That Killed 3, Says ‘Illegal Migrants Issued Commercial Licenses’
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says California issued a Commercial Driver’s License to an undocumented immigrant who killed three people in a DUI crash; Department of Transportation launches probe.
Washington, Oct 24: The White House on Thursday condemned California’s licensing practices after a fatal crash killed three people, alleging that the state issued a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to an undocumented immigrant involved in the incident.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the case reflects a “disturbing pattern” of criminal illegal aliens being granted commercial vehicle licenses, calling it a serious public safety issue.
“I can confirm that California gave this individual a license, and the Department of Transportation has already looked into it,” Leavitt said at a press briefing. “Secretary Duffy has been cracking down on these licenses wrongfully issued to people who do not deserve such responsibility.”
The incident involved 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh, an undocumented immigrant who entered the U.S. through the southern border in 2022 and was later released into the country. Authorities said Singh, allegedly under the influence of drugs, crashed a big rig on Interstate 10 in San Bernardino County, causing a massive fire that left three people dead and several others injured.
Leavitt said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged an immigration detainer against Singh, who faces charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also identified Singh as an “illegal alien from India.”
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has launched an investigation into California’s handling of CDL issuance. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticised California for failing to enforce federal English-language requirements for commercial drivers, warning that the state could lose over $40 million in highway safety funds.
“California’s reckless disregard is an affront to the millions of Americans who expect us to keep them safe,” Duffy said in a statement, adding that other states must review and revoke improperly issued licenses.
The controversy has also fueled debate around the proposed SAFE Drivers Act, which aims to bar undocumented immigrants from obtaining commercial licenses, mandate English only driving tests, and require states to report CDL data annually.
The crash follows a similar case in Florida earlier this year, where another undocumented immigrant also licensed in California killed three people. The incidents have reignited discussions over immigration enforcement, public safety, and state-federal accountability.
Civil rights groups, meanwhile, cautioned that the rhetoric could inflame anti-immigrant sentiment, particularly against Sikh and South Asian communities.
