From the New York Post: The illegal migrant truck driver who allegedly killed three people after making a rogue U-turn on a Florida highway was handed work papers under the Biden administration after they were 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 was processed for fast-track deportation by the first Trump administration, sources told The Post.
The Indian national was previously processed for deportation, but was able to stay after claiming he feared being sent back home. Singh was later released on a $5,000 immigration bond in January 2019 and still awaits a decision on his asylum case.
After receiving his work permit in June 2021, Singh was able to secure a Commercial Driver’s License in California, according to DHS.
Outrage erupted when it was revealed that the State of California had given the illegal alien a commercial driver’s license.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office tried to blame the Trump administration, saying he came into the U.S. during Trump’s first term in office, in 2018.
They argued that Newsom didn’t become governor until 2019, and claimed the Trump administration must have given him a work permit or they wouldn’t have issued the driver’s license.
But DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin fired back, noting that the blame lies squarely with the Biden administration and Newsom’s administration.
McLaughlin wrote, “Harjinder Singh is in the United States illegally and his work authorization was rejected under the Trump Administration on September 14, 2020. It was later approved under the Biden Administration June 9, 2021. “
False. Harjinder Singh is in the United States illegally and his work authorization was rejected under the Trump Administration on September 14, 2020. It was later approved under the Biden Administration June 9, 2021.
The state of California issues Commercial Drivers Licenses.… https://t.co/4YSs3qIj2B
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) August 18, 2025
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem wrote, “3 innocent people were killed in Florida because Gavin Newsom’s California DMV issued an illegal alien a Commercial Driver’s License. This gut wrenching tragedy should have never happened.
“My team at @DHSgov will work with @USDOT to root out and prevent illegal aliens from obtaining these licenses from sanctuary jurisdictions that put American drivers and passengers in danger.”
Newsom’s office responding, again pushing the FALSE claim that the Trump administration is to blame.
“Hey, Commander Cosplay: the federal government (YOU) already confirmed that this guy meets federal and state immigration requirements — YOU issued him a work permit (EAD). Oops. As usual, you are either lying or clueless,” Newsom’s office staff sneered, promoting the FALSE claim.
Hey, Commander Cosplay: the federal government (YOU) already confirmed that this guy meets federal and state immigration requirements — YOU issued him a work permit (EAD). Oops.
As usual, you are either lying or clueless. https://t.co/3zYZFILJKS pic.twitter.com/V0fzG8VR4G
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) August 18, 2025
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