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.
On Monday, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin hit back at an X post from California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office after it accused the Trump administration of issuing the work permit and either “lying” or acting “clueless” about it.
“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,” said McLaughlin.
“The state of California issues Commercial Drivers Licenses. There is no national CDL. Sincerely, Genius,” she concluded.
US Marshals in California nabbed Singh on Saturday on a warrant for three counts of vehicular homicide in connection with the deadly crash in Florida at around 3 p.m. last Thursday.
Singh allegedly made a hard left turn while driving a tractor-trailer on the Florida Turnpike near Fort Pierce and attempted to cross the median through an “Official Use Only” pass, authorities said.
The trailer blocked all lanes of oncoming traffic when a minivan slammed into it at full speed. The victims’ vehicle became wedged underneath the trailer, killing a 37-year-old Pompano Beach woman, a 30-year-old Florida City man and a 54-year-old Miami man, Treasure Coast Newspapers reported.
The two passengers died at the scene, and the driver was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Neither Singh nor his passenger was injured, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
Shocking video taken inside the truck cab showed Singh seemingly unfazed at the moment of the crash as he calmly put the vehicle into park and turned off the engine.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a detainer for Singh so they can move to deport him while ensuring he remains in custody. The illegal migrant faces three counts of vehicular homicide.
“The actions taken by the Defendant while operating a commercial tractor-trailer are both shocking and criminal, FLHSMV Director Dave Kerner said.
“Three people lost their lives as a result of his recklessness, and countless friends and family members will experience the pain of their loss forever.”
