Florida Governor Ron DeSantis unleashed a fiery critique of California’s immigration policies following a tragic August 12, 2025, crash on the Florida Turnpike that killed three people. The driver, Harjinder Singh, a 35-year-old undocumented immigrant from India, held a California-issued commercial driver’s license despite entering the U.S. illegally in 2018. Singh, charged with three counts of vehicular homicide, attempted an illegal U-turn, causing a minivan to collide with his semi-truck. DeSantis, speaking in St. Cloud on August 19, blasted California, declaring, “He should never have been here, let alone driving a commercial vehicle.” He accused the state of prioritizing undocumented immigrants over American citizens by granting licenses regardless of immigration status.
DeSantis escalated the feud by dispatching Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins to California to oversee Singh’s extradition, signaling a hardline stance on immigration enforcement. He criticized Congress for failing to defund sanctuary states, urging lawmakers to use their “power of the purse” to discipline states like California. The Department of Homeland Security echoed DeSantis, with Secretary Kristi Noem calling California’s policies “asinine” and a threat to public safety. Singh, who received a work permit under the Biden administration in 2021 after a Trump-era denial, reportedly lacked English proficiency and failed road sign tests, raising questions about licensing standards.
Critics, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, argue that federal work permits entitled Singh to a license, accusing Republicans of exploiting the tragedy for political gain. The clash reignites tensions over immigration and state policies, with DeSantis framing it as a matter of accountability versus leniency.
