DHS points finger at Newsom for granting commercial driver's license to illegal immigrant who killed 3

By 
 updated on August 20, 2025

A catastrophic crash in Florida, caused by an unauthorized migrant's illegal U-turn, has left three Americans dead and sparked outrage from federal officials pointing fingers at California’s sanctuary policies.

Harjinder Singh, an illegal alien from India, triggered the deadly incident while driving a semi truck in St. Lucie County, Florida, leading to the deaths of three innocent people. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) blames California’s lenient laws, championed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, for allowing Singh to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) despite his immigration status, as Breitbart reports.

Singh, behind the wheel of a massive truck, executed an illegal U-turn that caused a fatal collision. Video footage captures the chilling moment Singh made the maneuver, showing no visible reaction as the crash claimed three lives. The sheer recklessness of the act has fueled demands for accountability.

California’s sanctuary policies under fire

California’s decision to issue driver’s licenses to over one million illegal aliens since 2015 is now in the spotlight. A 2013 law, expanded by Newsom in 2022, opened the door for unauthorized migrants like Singh to secure CDLs. DHS officials argue this policy enabled a preventable tragedy.

“Three innocent people were killed in Florida because Gavin Newsom’s California Department of Motor Vehicles issued an illegal alien a Commercial Driver’s License,” said DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin. Her words cut through the progressive haze, exposing the real-world consequences of sanctuary state bravado. Yet, Newsom’s allies will likely deflect, claiming compassion trumps caution.

Singh’s immigration history adds fuel to the fire. His work authorization was rejected under the first Trump administration on Sept. 14, 2020, only to be approved under Biden on June 9, 2021. This flip-flop raises questions about federal oversight in a state eager to skirt immigration enforcement.

Fatal crash spurs legal proceedings

Singh now faces three counts of vehicular homicide, a grim testament to the lives lost. ICE agents have slapped a detainer on him, ensuring he remains in custody as the legal process unfolds. Justice, however, won’t bring back the victims.

The crash’s aftermath has left families shattered and communities demanding answers. McLaughlin didn’t mince words: “How many more innocent people must die before Gavin Newsom stops playing games with the safety of the American public?” Her question hangs heavy, a challenge to California’s progressive posturing.

California, not the federal government, holds the reins on issuing CDLs. This state-level authority, wielded with little regard for immigration status, handed Singh the keys to a deadly weapon. Critics argue this reflects a broader pattern of prioritizing ideology over public safety.

Newsom’s stances under microscope

Newsom’s expansion of driver’s license access for illegal aliens was sold as a step toward inclusion. But when inclusion leads to devastation, as it did in St. Lucie County, the cost becomes impossible to ignore. The governor’s defenders may cry fairness, but the wreckage tells a different story.

The DHS isn’t letting this slide. “We pray for the victims and their families,” McLaughlin added, signaling a commitment to action. Her statement underscores a resolve to tackle the fallout from policies that seem to mock border security.

Singh’s case isn’t just about one driver’s fatal mistake. It’s a glaring example of how sanctuary policies can ripple far beyond California’s borders. Florida’s tragedy is now a national talking point, with Newsom’s name at its center.

Calls for accountability grow

The video of Singh’s U-turn, cold and unyielding, plays on repeat in the public’s mind. It’s a stark reminder of what happens when states prioritize political points over practical governance. California’s DMV, under Newsom’s watch, handed a dangerous tool to an unqualified driver.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and her team are pushing to remove “criminal illegal aliens” from the country, per McLaughlin. Their mission contrasts sharply with California’s open-door approach, highlighting a deep divide in how America handles immigration. The clash is as ideological as it is practical.

As Singh awaits his day in court, the nation watches. Will California rethink its sanctuary stance, or will Newsom double down on a policy that’s now linked to American graves? The answer will shape more than just headlines -- it will decide who pays the price for progressive ideals.

About Alex Tanzer

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