The transport department has decided to tighten the screws on the process of issuing commercial drivers’ licenses to non-immigrants after three fatal crashes were reported this year — all caused by non-citizen drivers. Transport secertary Sean Duffy said the current rules are not strict enough and a number of states are not following them. Citing examples of California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas and Washington, Dufft said rules are not being followed here properly. No commercial driver license will be issued to non-citizens unless the states comply with new rules.
What are the new rules?
- Only drivers who have either an H-2a, H-2b or E-2 visa will now be eligible to get a commercial driver’s license.
- Just having an employment authorization document won’t be enough.
- But the rules are not retroactive and won’t impact those who already have a driver’s license.
The case of Harjinder Singh
On August 12, Indian-origin Harjinder Singh killed two passengers who were in a minivan as he took a wrong U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike. The minivan was traveling behind him and was unable to avoid the truck’s trailer. Singh lived in California but he was originally issued a commercial driver’s license in Washington before California issued him a license later. Charged with three state counts of vehicular homicide and immigration violations, Singh will be deported after he serves his sentence in the US.
The case of Partap Singh
Partap Singh, another Indian-origin truck driver who illegally entered the US, caused a multi-car pileup in 2024, leaving five-year-old Dalilah Coleman with life-altering injuries. He drove at unsafe speeds and failed to stop for traffic and a construction zone. He was arrested last month and will remain in ICE custody. He entered the US in 2022 and as released into the country by the previous administration, the DHA said.