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Florida is examining sanctuary jurisdictions that issue commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to illegal immigrants following a crash earlier this month that resulted in the deaths of three individuals, according to state Attorney General James Uthmeier.
At a press conference on Monday, Uthmeier addressed reporters alongside other law enforcement officials in response to the incident on August 12 involving Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old illegal immigrant, and the arrest of another illegal immigrant, Roberto Carlos Vergara, who was driving a commercial vehicle in Bay County on Sunday night.
“Our office is investigating both the actions of other sanctuary jurisdictions as well as the agents and companies that provided these exams, or lack thereof,” Uthmeier said, referencing the CDL examinations required for truck drivers.
According to Uthmeier, illegal immigrants are prohibited from obtaining driver’s licenses in Florida, and he expressed concern that sanctuary states offering licenses to these individuals pose a “major liability.”
Details of the Fatal Crash
Singh, an illegal immigrant, was allegedly driving a commercial semi-truck on the Florida Turnpike when he attempted a U-turn in an unauthorized location, causing his trailer to jackknife and collide with a minivan, resulting in the deaths of all three passengers. Reports indicate he obtained his CDL from California and Washington state.
Investigation of CDL Issuance
Uthmeier noted that Vergara, who is currently under an ICE hold, obtained his CDL from New Jersey. He questioned how individuals who do not speak English could successfully pass these exams and receive the necessary authorizations. “If you can’t read street signs, how are you going to drive large commercial vehicles safely?” he asked.
Increased Enforcement Measures
Wilton Simpson, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, mentioned that law enforcement is increasing efforts to curb illegal immigrants driving commercial trucks in the state. Measures being considered include the addition of pullover lanes along Florida’s northern border and deploying X-ray machines at interdiction locations.
