In a bold move, Florida's Republican Attorney General, James Uthmeier, has called upon the U.S. Department of Transportation to strip California and Washington of their authority to administer commercial driver's license programs
This request follows a tragic incident involving Harjinder Singh, an illegal immigrant from India, who is accused of causing a fatal accident on the Florida Turnpike. Singh, who had been employed by California-based White Hawk Carriers, held driver's licenses from both California and Washington, despite his illegal status in the United States since 2018.
Uthmeier's appeal to the federal government underscores his criticism of the sanctuary policies in California and Washington. As reported by the Western Journal, Uthmeier stated, "California and Washington ignored the rules" and attributed the "preventable tragedy" to these states' lenient immigration policies.
In addition to revoking the states' licensing authority, Uthmeier is also advocating for the withdrawal of federal funds from these jurisdictions.
In response to the incident, Uthmeier has announced measures aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from operating large commercial vehicles in Florida. "In response, were supporting our Agricultural Law Enforcement and state police to ramp up inspections at state entry-points for illegal aliens who may be operating large trucks using out-of-state drivers licenses," he declared.
He further emphasized, "If youre here illegally or cant speak English, you have no business operating large commercial vehicles on Floridas roads."
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, led by Commissioner Wilton Simpson, is also taking action. Uthmeier highlighted their efforts, noting that Florida's interdiction stations are being transformed into "strongholds of immigration enforcement." He affirmed, "Together, we will ensure dangerous drivers are taken off the road and criminals serve their time before deportation."
The U.S. Department of Transportation has previously revealed that Singh failed an English language proficiency test, managing to answer correctly only two out of twelve verbal questions and identifying just one of four traffic signs. This raises concerns about the integrity of the commercial driver's license system, particularly in states with sanctuary policies.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has initiated a "nationwide audit into state practices" concerning commercial driver's licenses. Duffy remarked, "The open borders policies of the last administration allowed millions to flood our country leading to serious allegations that the trucking licensing system is being exploited."
He emphasized the audit's purpose, stating, "Our audit is about protecting the safety of families on the road and upholding the integrity of CDLs (Commercial Drivers Licenses) held by Americas truckers."
The situation highlights the ongoing debate over immigration policies and their impact on public safety. As Florida takes a firm stance on enforcing immigration laws, the broader implications for state and federal relations remain to be seen.
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