Florida's Attorney General, James Uthmeier, has announced that the state's agricultural inspection stations will also begin serving as immigration checkpoints. This move comes in collaboration with federal agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a tragic accident on the Florida Turnpike that resulted in three fatalities.
During a press conference in Live Oak, Uthmeier criticized states like California and Washington for disregarding regulations and granting a commercial truck license to an undocumented immigrant, which he claims led to the fatal accident. "Three lives were lost because these states allowed an undocumented immigrant to drive a 40-ton truck," he stated, as reported by CBS Miami.
The Attorney General further elaborated that his office is scrutinizing the policies of so-called "sanctuary states" that issue commercial driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. He described this as a "significant liability" for public safety. According to Fox News, Uthmeier also indicated that companies and agents who facilitated these driving tests might face penalties.
The crash occurred on August 12, when Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old immigrant from India, attempted an illegal U-turn in an area reserved for authorities. His tractor-trailer obstructed the road, leading to a collision with a minivan, which became wedged beneath the truck's frame. The victims—Herby Dufresne, 30, Rodrigue Dor, 54, and Faniloa Joseph, 37, all South Florida residents—were killed instantly or shortly after being transported to a hospital.
Singh was apprehended in California days later and now faces charges of vehicular homicide and involuntary manslaughter. Court documents revealed that Singh answered only two out of 12 English questions correctly and recognized just one out of four traffic signs during his test, yet managed to acquire commercial driver's licenses in Washington (2023) and California (2024), as Fox News reported.
Immediate Measures and Political Reactions
Wilton Simpson, the Agriculture Commissioner, announced plans to install inspection lanes and X-ray machines at Florida's entry points to detect trucks driven by those without legal status. Uthmeier has formally requested that the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration revoke California and Washington's authority over the commercial licensing program and the associated federal funding.
In a letter dated August 25 addressed to Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, Uthmeier accused sanctuary states of endangering public safety by granting licenses to individuals who do not meet basic requirements, such as English proficiency or traffic sign recognition. "The recent accident in St. Lucie County shows that no one in America is safe from sanctuary states," Uthmeier wrote.
This letter, shared on Uthmeier's social media platforms, calls for an expanded federal audit of commercial licensing and the decertification of California and Washington's programs, which would result in a withdrawal of federal funds unless they comply with regulations. "The American people deserve safe roads," Uthmeier emphasized, vowing that Singh, along with any employer who enabled his driving, would be held accountable under Florida law.
Governor Ron DeSantis also weighed in, blaming California for issuing the driver's license to the accused truck driver. "We can't have a situation where we do things right in Florida, only for the West Coast to send us undocumented individuals causing tragedies," he remarked, according to NBC Miami.
Uthmeier's statements signal a tightening of internal immigration controls within the state, reigniting political tensions between Florida and states with more lenient immigration policies.
Key Questions About Florida's Immigration Enforcement
What prompted Florida to increase immigration checks at state agricultural stations?
The decision was influenced by a fatal accident involving an undocumented immigrant truck driver, highlighting the risks posed by states granting commercial licenses to those without legal status.
How is Florida responding to sanctuary states like California and Washington?
Florida's Attorney General is calling for federal action to revoke these states' authority over commercial licensing and associated funding, due to their policies granting licenses to undocumented immigrants.
What consequences does Singh face following the accident?
Harjinder Singh has been charged with vehicular homicide and involuntary manslaughter and will be held accountable under Florida law, along with any employer who facilitated his driving.