California is Licensing the Illegal Alien Truck Drivers Killing Americans. Sean Duffy is Fighting Back.
The killing of three people in Florida by an illegal alien with a California driver’s license shows the danger blue states pose to drivers everywhere.
As the Trump administration ramps up enforcement against lax commercial driver’s license (CDL) practices, California and a handful of other blue states are digging in their heels, prioritizing illegal aliens over highway safety and American jobs. In response, Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy is vowing to withhold millions of dollars in federal funding from California, Washington, and New Mexico for failing to enforce English proficiency standards.
Restoration News previously reported on Duffy’s June 28 nationwide audit of non-domiciled CDLs—licenses issued to temporary residents. The initiative, launched under Trump's mandate to put Americans first, targets the surge in foreign drivers who often lack the English skills needed to read road signs, communicate with law enforcement, and handle emergencies. Federal regulations have long required proficiency, but the Obama and Bidne administrations turned a blind eye, leading to a flood of underqualified, foreign drivers on American highways.
This contributed to fatal semi-truck crashes nearly doubling since the Obama era—from about 4,500 in 2016 to 8,837 in 2022.
(READ MORE: Virginia Sheriffs Shield Illegal Alien Criminals from ICE—Democrats Silent)
A Fatal Florida Catalyst
Duffy’s promised crackdown comes amid a tragic reminder of the stakes—a deadly Florida crash caused by an illegal alien trucker who never should have been behind the wheel.
On Aug. 12, Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old illegal alien from India, made an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike, colliding with a minivan and killing three people. Singh, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2018, held CDLs from California and Washington. He now faces vehicular homicide charges and immigration violations, but the damage is done.
This undoubtedly contributed to Duffy’s recent announcement that California, Washington, and New Mexico risk losing their Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program funds if they don't comply with his previous order to comply within 30 days. California could forfeit $33 million, Washington $10.5 million, and New Mexico $7 million.
Inspections in these states reveal glaring failures.
California conducted over 34,000 checks since June but sidelined only one driver for English violations, while allowing 23 others with out-of-state infractions to keep driving.
Washington pulled just four drivers despite thousands of safety violations.
New Mexico has disqualified none.
"This is about keeping people safe on the road . . . . We need to make sure that those who are driving big rigs can understand the road signs, that they've been well trained,” Duffy said.
This tragedy highlights a broader crisis. 19 states, plus the District of Columbia, issue driver's licenses regardless of immigration status, enabling illegal aliens to access roads—and CDLs—without proper vetting. These policies, often pushed by Democrats under the guise of "inclusivity," allow people like Singh to drive automobiles without proper training and vetting.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) has demanded the Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration go further by revoking CDL programs in California and Washington. In a letter to Duffy, Uthmeier cited Singh's case as evidence of "negligence,” urging decertification that could halt new licenses and disrupt freight operations in major hubs in these states, which would force them into immediate compliance.
Florida, meanwhile, is setting up check points to verify documents and English skills.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) fired back on X, accusing the Trump administration of "scrambling to shift blame" after approving Singh's work permit. But Newsom’s criticism doesn’t address the real reason behind Duffy’s threat to withhold funding—the fact his state continues lax enforcement, including certification of so many drivers who have been decertified in other states.
The dangers of leftist policies regarding immigration are clear. When blue states relax standards and ignore immigration status when issuing CDLs to illegal aliens—especially to those who can't speak good English—it creates ticking time bombs on America’s highways that endangers people in red states too.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association praised Duffy, noting that "basic English skills are critical . . . . The fatal crash in Florida tragically illustrates what's at stake."
Democrats' defense of inclusivity in everything, including CDL safety standards and illegal alien drivers, reveals they prioritize diversity and open borders over American lives and jobs. The Florida tragedy must not be repeated. As Duffy audits and withholds funds, it's time for these rogue states to comply or face the consequences.
(RELATED: Trump’s Takeover of Washington, D.C. Police Is Long Overdue)
