The illegal migrant truck driver who allegedly killed three people after making a rash U-turn on a Florida highway was granted work permits under the Biden administration after being denied during President Trump’s first term, the Department of Homeland Security said Monday.
Harjinder Singh crossed the southern border into California in September 2018, and the first Trump administration processed him for expedited deportation, according to sources.
The Indian national was originally scheduled for deportation but was allowed to stay after claiming he feared being deported back home. Singh was later released on a $5,000 immigration bond in January 2019 and is still awaiting a decision in his asylum case.
Singh received his work permit in June 2021 and was able to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License in California, according to DHS.
On Monday, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin responded to an X post from California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office, which accused the Trump administration of issuing the work permit while “lying” or acting “clueless” about it.
“False. Harjinder Singh is in the United States illegally, and his work authorization was denied by the Trump administration on September 14, 2020. “It was later approved by the Biden Administration on June 9, 2021,” said McLaughlin.
“The state of California issues Commercial Driver’s Licenses. There is no nationwide CDL. “Sincerely, Genius,” she finished.
US Marshals in California apprehended Singh on Saturday on a warrant for three counts of vehicular homicide in connection with the fatal crash in Florida around 3 p.m. last Thursday.
Authorities said Singh made a hard left turn while driving a tractor-trailer on the Florida Turnpike near Fort Pierce and attempted to cross the median using a “Official Use Only” pass.
When a minivan collided with the trailer at full speed, it blocked all oncoming traffic lanes. Treasure Coast Newspapers reported that the victims’ vehicle became wedged underneath the trailer, killing a 37-year-old Pompano Beach woman, a 30-year-old Florida City man, and a 54-year-old Miami man.
The two passengers died at the scene, and the driver was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was later declared dead.
The Florida Highway Patrol reported that neither Singh nor his passenger were injured.
Shocking video footage taken inside the truck cab showed Singh appearing unconcerned at the time of the collision as he calmly put the vehicle in park and turned off the engine.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a detainer for Singh, allowing them to deport him while he remains in custody. The illegal migrant faces three counts of vehicular homicide.
“The actions of the Defendant while operating a commercial tractor-trailer are both shocking and criminal,” FLHSMV Director Dave Kerner stated.
“Three people lost their lives as a result of his recklessness, and countless friends and family members will experience the pain of their loss forever.”
