Harjinder Singh, the illegal migrant truck driver suspected in Florida crash once received work permit under Biden after Trump denial
Tragedy on the Florida Turnpike
The driver, identified as Harjinder Singh, allegedly attempted a sudden U-turn through an 'Official Use Only' median, cutting across lanes of traffic. A minivan travelling at full speed collided with the trailer, leaving three people dead. Authorities confirmed that the victims included a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, a 30-year-old man from Florida City, and a 54-year-old man from Miami.
Two passengers died instantly, while the driver was taken to a hospital but later pronounced dead. Singh and his passenger escaped unharmed.
Immigration history of Harjinder Singh raises questions
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Singh first crossed the southern border into California in September 2018, during the Trump administration. He was placed in expedited deportation proceedings but was able to remain in the United States after claiming asylum, citing fear of returning to India.
In January 2019, Singh was released on a $5,000 immigration bond while awaiting a decision on his asylum application. In September 2020, under the Trump administration, his work permit request was rejected. However, DHS confirmed that his application was later approved under the Biden administration in June 2021.
This authorisation allowed Singh to apply for and obtain a Commercial Driver's Licence (CDL) in California.
DHS and California officials clash online
The case sparked political controversy when California Governor Gavin Newsom's office suggested that Singh's work authorisation had been granted during the Trump years. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin responded sharply, clarifying that the permit was rejected under Trump but approved under Biden.
McLaughlin added that while the federal government handles work authorisation, states like California are responsible for issuing Commercial Driver's Licences, pointing out there is no national CDL system.
Arrest and charges of Harjinder Singh
Singh was arrested in California by US Marshals on Saturday on a warrant linked to the Florida crash. He faces three counts of vehicular homicide. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has also lodged a detainer to ensure Singh remains in custody while deportation proceedings continue.
Authorities said dashcam footage from inside Singh's cab showed him appearing calm and unfazed at the time of the crash, turning off the engine immediately after the impact.
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Director Dave Kerner said Singh's reckless driving directly caused the deaths and left families shattered. He described the tragedy as both shocking and criminal, emphasising the devastating consequences of the driver's actions.
Broader concerns over policy and public safety
The case has intensified scrutiny over how immigration decisions intersect with public safety. Critics argue that granting work authorisation to individuals with unresolved asylum cases poses risks, while others stress the need for due process and humane treatment of migrants.
For now, Singh remains behind bars, awaiting trial for vehicular homicide, while also facing the possibility of deportation. The families of the victims continue to mourn lives lost in what officials have described as a preventable tragedy.
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