Rubio pauses worker visas for truck drivers after deadly Florida crash involving illegal immigrant kills 3
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday said, “effective immediately,” he would pause the issuance of worker visas for commercial drivers after an illegal immigrant truck driver allegedly caused a crash that killed three people in Florida. In a post on X, Rubio cited public safety for the move. “The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” he wrote. BLUE STATE INVESTIGATES HOW ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TRUCKER GOT LICENSE BEFORE DEADLY FLORIDA CRASH Concerns about foreign workers driving commercial trucks began after Harjinder Singh, 28, who entered the U.S. illegally, was driving a commercial truck with a trailer on the Florida Turnpike in Fort Pierce when he allegedly attempted a U-turn in an unauthorized area. The turn resulted in the trailer jackknifing and colliding with a minivan, which left all three of the minivan’s passengers dead, authorities said. Further scrutiny of Singh revealed he didn’t pass English and road tests before obtaining a commercial driver’s license. EXPERT REVEALS HOW ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TRUCKER MAY HAVE GOTTEN COMMERCIAL LICENSE BEFORE FATAL FLORIDA CRASH He was granted a full-term commercial driver’s license in Washington in July 2023 despite not being legally eligible. He was also given a limited-term commercial driver’s license in California in 2024. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and officials with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have been in a heated war of words with the Trump administration over Singh. This week, Newsom’s press office said on X that Singh obtained a work permit during President Donald Trump‘s first term. Tricia McLaughlin, the DHS assistant secretary for public affairs, responded, saying Singh was denied in September 2020, under Trump, but was granted one in June 2021, under the Biden administration. Singh has been extradited to Florida from California to face three counts of vehicular homicide.
ICE chief vows to ‘flood’ Boston with agents after Dem mayor pledges to resist
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons vowed to “flood” Boston with agents after Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu doubled down on her pledge to uphold the city’s sanctuary policies and resist the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Speaking on the local radio program “The Howie Carr Show,” Lyons responded to Wu by saying, “Now you’re going to see more ICE agents come to Boston to make sure that we take these public safety threats out that she wants to let go back into the communities.” He pointed to the Trump administration’s “Operation Patriot,” which sent federal agents into the Boston area in March and yielded over a thousand arrests. “We are going to keep doing it in Boston,” Lyons said. “We’re going to continue to do our mission. We’re going to keep making Boston safe as she’s failing to do with these sanctuary city policies.” LARGEST EVER ICE OPERATION RESULTS IN NEARLY 1,500 ILLEGALS ARRESTED IN BLUE STATE Pressed on whether ICE will surge agents to the Boston area, similar to how agents are in Washington, D.C., Lyons responded, “One hundred percent you will see a larger ICE presence.” “We’re definitely going to, as you’ve heard the saying, flood the zone, especially in sanctuary jurisdictions,” he added. “And, obviously, Boston and Massachusetts decided that they wanted to stay sanctuaries, and sanctuary does not mean safer streets. It means more criminal aliens out and about in neighborhoods.” Lyons pointed out that, during Operation Patriot, ICE pursued “targeted enforcement operations” of criminal aliens released by the City of Boston and Massachusetts. Operation Patriot resulted in the arrest of nearly 1,500 illegal immigrants, including murderers, rapists, drug traffickers and child sex predators. Sources at ICE told Fox News that 790 of those arrested had criminal convictions or charges, and 277 had final removal or deportation orders. The sources said that all the targeted criminals were roaming the streets of Massachusetts cities freely before being apprehended. BIKE-RIDING YOUTHS TERRORIZE DEM-RUN CITY AS MOBS SWARM ROADS, WHILE MAYOR STAYS SILENT ON CHAOS The operation ran throughout May and involved ICE teams from other states in the Northeast, as well as authorities from the FBI, DEA and ATF. Speaking on Wednesday, Lyons said, “There’s so many of these criminal aliens that keep getting released to go out and commit more crimes that local law enforcement have to deal with, and we can take that, you know, violent criminal illegal alien instantly out of the neighborhood.” This follows U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi setting a deadline of Tuesday for sanctuary jurisdictions to drop their policies that block cooperation with federal authorities. Speaking on Fox Business, Bondi said she sent letters to 32 mayors and seven governors “telling them you better comply or you’re next.” Bondi highlighted a letter she sent to California Gov. Gavin Newsom in which she warned that “individuals operating under the color of law, using their official position to obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts and facilitating or inducing illegal immigration may be subject to criminal charges.” SANCTUARY CITIES DEFY BONDI’S DEADLINE TO COOPERATE: ‘NO INTENTION OF CHANGING’ The letter, shared on social media, said cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including on immigration enforcement, “is vital to enforce federal law and protect national security.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Wu publicly rejected Bondi’s demands during a press conference, calling the ultimatum a political stunt. “Stop attacking our cities to hide your administration’s failures. Unlike the Trump administration, Boston follows the law,” Wu said Tuesday. “This is our city. This is our country, and I’m so proud and grateful to show the world who our community is here in Boston and what we’re made of.” In response to Lyons’ comments, Wu’s office shared a statement from the mayor who was answering another reporter’s question. Wu reiterated, “In Boston, we comply and follow all of the laws, city, state and federal. And we will not back down from communities that have made us the safest major city in the country. “This is a beautiful, diverse, incredible city, and I have said it now very directly this administration needs to stop attacking cities to hide their own failures.”
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Newsom’s ‘Failures’ Under Fire
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening… –Boasberg cleared to rule on CECOT migrant deportations after appeals court decision -Trump reveals plan to patrol Washington streets with police and military forces -Ex-Biden spokesman who called mental fitness doubts a ‘conspiracy’ only met with him twice: Comer An illegal immigrant who is facing three counts of vehicular homicide in Florida was extradited from California to the Sunshine State on Thursday. “We’re here today because of tragedy. Three lives lost, three Floridians’ lives ended early,” Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins told reporters. “We’re here in California because when this tragic accident happened and three Floridian lives were lost, he fled back to California, where, in 2018, he illegally crossed the border, came here and ended up getting a commercial driver’s license, a CDL.”…Read more DUTY CALLS: Trump’s tariff revenue has skyrocketed in just a few months, soaring past 2024 levels PAPER TRAIL: Biden’s auto-pen pardons disturbed DOJ brass, docs show, raising questions whether they are legally binding POWER TO THE PARENTS: Trump Department of Education rolls out latest step to expand school choice nationwide ‘TOTAL VICTORY’: NY appeals court throws out $500M penalty against Trump in Letitia James civil case STRATEGIC BETRAYAL: India strengthening ties with China, Russia after steep US tariffs ‘SO DESPERATE’: Jasmine Crockett disparages MAGA voters, Trump as ‘most unpatriotic people’ HEALTHCARE HUSTLE: Trump-aligned legal group probes Biden-era organ transplant program over ethical concerns ICE HEAT: Trump deportation policies spook Pennsylvania city into scrapping immigrant protection vote BALLOTING BATTLE: Swing-state gov slams Trump plan to nix mail-in voting: He ‘can sign whatever the hell he wants’ BACKFIRED: Expert turns tables on key Mamdani claim about his policing platform: ‘So much wrong’ CALL OF DUTY: Pentagon taps civilian employees to assist Trump administration immigration enforcement BATTLE LINES: Newsom, California Democrats move to counter Texas redistricting with partisan map FEDS TAKE CHARGE: Trump admin assigns military attorneys to prosecute DC crimes amid federal crackdown Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Former top Adams adviser, donors charged in bribery case as Cuomo mocks with chips stunt
A day after a local news outlet exposed an Eric Adams aide for handing a reporter a wad of cash stuffed inside a bag of potato chips, a handful of folks from Adams’ inner circle, including one of his former top advisers, have been indicted in their own alleged bribery scandal. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced four new indictments Thursday, alleging a pay-to-play scheme and other charges against multiple Adams’ associates, including one of his former chief advisers and her son, local business owners, and two of Adams’ reported political donors. Meanwhile, in light of the news, Adams’ opponent in the upcoming race for New York City mayor, Andrew Cuomo, took a jab at Adams’ Thursday when he handed out bags of chips to reporters at a press conference. “Sometimes a bag of chips is just a bag of chips,” Cuomo told those in attendance. ADAMS, CUOMO TRADE JABS IN INTERVIEWS AS DEMS-TURNED-INDEPENDENTS COURT ANTI-MAMDANI VOTE “Frankly it is embarrassing for the City of New York,” Cuomo, who himself is no stranger to scandals, added Thursday. The fresh corruption-related allegations follow an incident Wednesday, when, according to local New York City paper The City, one of Adams’ aides, who has since been suspended, allegedly attempted to give money to one of their reporters hidden inside a bag of potato chips. The now-suspended Adams adviser, Winnie Greco, later called the move a “mistake,” according to The City. Meanwhile, the indictments levied Thursday alleged a former chief adviser to Adams, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, who resigned in 2024 amid other accusations related to a different pay-to-play scheme, received $75,000 in bribes between March 2022 and November 2024. Among the bribes was a $50,000 cash payment “diverted from a City contract and other benefits” that was directed to her son’s bank account, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Other allegations laid out in the indictments include improper steering of government contracts and policy decisions that were spurred by monetary incentives. ERIC ADAMS HIT WITH ACCUSATION OF OPERATING ‘CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY’ AT NYPD “We allege that Ingrid Lewis-Martin engaged in classic bribery conspiracies that had a deep and wide-ranging impact on City government,” said District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “As alleged, Lewis-Martin consistently overrode the expertise of public servants so she could line her own pockets.” On Thursday, following news of the indictments, an Adams’ spokesperson, Todd Shapiro, contended that the mayor “has not been accused of any wrongdoing.” “While Ingrid Lewis-Martin no longer works for this administration, she has been a friend and colleague of the mayor for over 40 years, and he knows her as a devoted public servant; she has declared her innocence, and his prayers are with her and her family,” Shapiro added. “Mayor Adams also recognizes that Jesse Hamilton has pleaded not guilty, and like anyone accused, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence. His commitment to New Yorkers is unwavering—no distraction will ever take his eyes off the ball or his dedication to this great city we all call home.” Despite Shapiro’s claims that Adams’ was not involved, the mayor’s opponents in his upcoming race to keep his position have capitalized on the incident. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “While New Yorkers struggle to afford the most expensive city in America, Eric Adams and his administration are too busy tripping over corruption charges to come to their defense,” the Democratic Party candidate for New York City Mayor, self-described socialist Zohran Mamdani, said Thursday. “Corruption isn’t just about what a politician gains, it’s about what the public loses. And right now, New Yorkers are paying the price as another flurry of indictments continue to erode their trust in our democracy and distract from the affordability crisis that demands action and urgency.” Meanwhile, Cuomo, who has not been the subject of any major bribery scandals himself, did resign from his position as governor amid numerous sexual assault allegations in 2021. He called the latest incidents involving Adams and his confidants “sad,” “embarrassing,” and “depressing.” “We were talking about how people feel frustrated with government, and alienated from government, and that government isn’t working for them. And then, there seems to be this never-ending series of government corruption that just continues,” Cuomo said Thursday. “And it’s sad, it’s embarrassing, it’s depressing. And then you wonder why people don’t believe in government.”
China condemns US military buildup off Venezuela coast as foreign interference in regional affairs
China on Thursday condemned an American military buildup off the coast of Venezuela amid the Trump administration’s effort to combat drug cartels, accusing Washington of engaging in foreign interference. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning was speaking with reporters when she was asked about the naval deployment. “China opposes any move that violates the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and a country’s sovereignty and security,” Ning said. “We oppose the use or threat of force in international relations and the interference of external forces in Venezuela’s internal affairs under any pretext.” U.S. WARSHIPS TO PATROL INTERNATIONAL WATERS AROUND VENEZUELA AS TRUMP VOWS TO STOP CARTELS “We hope that the United States will do more things conducive to peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region,” she added. Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House. At least three Aegis guided-missile destroyers — the USS Gravely and USS Jason Dunham among them — are part of the mission that includes thousands of Marines. “On day one of the Trump Administration, the president published an executive order designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, clearly identifying them as a direct threat to the national security of the United States,” Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Tuesday. VENEZUELA HUMAN RIGHTS HIT NEW LOW AS US PUTS $50M BOUNTY ON MADURO’S HEAD: STATE DEPARTMENT “These cartels have engaged in historic violence and terror throughout our Hemisphere — and around the globe — that has destabilized economies and internal security of countries but also flooded the United States with deadly drugs, violent criminals and vicious gangs.” In response to “outlandish threats” by the U.S., Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said he would deploy 4.5 million militia members. The show of military force comes as the Trump administration continues to demand that Maduro be held accountable for drugs being smuggled into the U.S. The administration has labeled Maduro’s regime as a “narco-terror cartel.” Earlier this month, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a $50 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the South American leader. Meanwhile, the Justice Department said it has seized more than $700 million in assets tied to the embattled dictator, including two private jets and nine luxury vehicles. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Maduro, indicted in New York in 2020 on narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracy charges, has clung to power with military backing and allegedly with support from Russia, China and Cuba. Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
Pentagon unveils new medal for troops deployed in Trump’s southern border crackdown
The Pentagon has created a new medal for service members who’ve deployed to the southern border to assist federal law enforcement with President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. The Pentagon unveiled plans for a Mexican Border Defense Medal for U.S. troops serving with Joint Task Force Southern Border, according to a new memo the Pentagon released Aug.13 that was shared on social media. A U.S. defense official confirmed the authenticity of the memo to Fox News Digital Wednesday. TROOPS AT THE BORDER: HOW THE MILITARY’S ROLE IN IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT HAS EXPLODED UNDER TRUMP Now, service members will receive the Mexican Border Defense Medal (MBDM) instead of the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) like they previously earned for supporting Customs and Border Protection at the border, the memo said. The Armed Forces Service Medal, created in 1996 by former President Bill Clinton, is awarded to troops who have participated in a military operation with “significant activity” but didn’t encounter foreign armed opposition or imminent hostile action, according to a U.S. Army description of the medal. The Pentagon said in July that approximately 8,500 military personnel are assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border and have been tasked with responding to security threats there. The task force got underway in March and completed approximately 3,500 patrols between then and July, according to the Pentagon. PENTAGON SETS UP NEW 250-MILE MILITARY BUFFER ZONE AT BORDER WITH CROSSINGS AT RECORD LOWS Those eligible for the award must have deployed since Jan. 20 to support Customs and Border Protection and served within 100 nautical miles from the international border shared with Mexico in either Texas, New Mexico, Arizona or California. Those who’ve also served in adjacent waters up to 24 nautical miles away from the border also are eligible. “Service members must have been permanently assigned, attached, or detailed to a unit that deployed to participate in a designated DoD military operation supporting CBP within the (area of eligibility) during the (period of award) for 30 consecutive or nonconsecutive days,” the memo said. Those who already have received the Armed Forces Service Medal for service at the southern border may appeal to receive the new award but are ineligible to receive both, according to the Pentagon. “Service members and Veterans previously awarded the AFSM for DoD support to CBP may apply to their respective Military Service for award of the MBDM in lieu of the AFSM previously awarded to recognize such service; however, no Service member or Veteran may be awarded both the AFSM and the MBDM for the same period of qualifying service,” the memo said. NEW VOLUNTARY DEPLOYMENT LETS DOD CIVILIAN WORKERS BACK HOMELAND SECURITY EFFORTS AMID IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN The Pentagon, per the direction of the president, has established four national defense areas along the border, bolstering U.S. troops’ capacity to assist Customs and Border Protection under the task force. The national defense areas operate under military jurisdiction, paving the way for U.S. troops to detain trespassers. Without placing these stretches of land under military jurisdiction, U.S. troops were barred from doing so under existing federal law. “Through these enhanced authorities, U.S. Northern Command will ensure those who illegally trespass in the New Mexico National Defense Area are handed over to Customs and Border Protection or our other law enforcement partners,” Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command, said in a statement in April. “Joint Task Force Southern Border will conduct enhanced detection and monitoring, which will include vehicle and foot patrols, rotary wing and fixed surveillance site operations.”
Illegal immigrant charged for allegedly ramming truck into federal officers in California
A 19-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico is facing federal charges after prosecutors say he rammed his truck into an agent and government vehicles during an immigration operation in San Diego. The case comes the same week another illegal immigrant, Harjinder Singh, was accused in a Florida crash that killed three people, underscoring renewed scrutiny of Biden-era immigration enforcement. According to an ICE statement, the illegal, Rolando Nava Pacheco, is facing up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines for striking a federal agent and government vehicles in an attempt to flee. FLORIDA OFFICIAL SLAMS CALIFORNIA GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM AFTER DEADLY CRASH INVOLVING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT DRIVER Homeland Security agents stopped Pacheco during an immigration operation in San Diego for suspected immigration violations on Aug. 11. According to a DOJ statement, after the federal agents identified themselves as law enforcement, Pacheco attempted to flee by accelerating his white truck and striking an agent and a government vehicle. The DOJ statement says the agents “verbally announced themselves as federal agents and requested identification from (the) vehicle’s driver.” “As the white truck recklessly tried to flee the area, a federal agent driving a government vehicle attempted to block the path of the white truck,” the DOJ statement said. As a result, “the driver of the white truck proceeded to strike the federal agent’s vehicle head on.” Pacheco is now facing charges of assault on a federal officer resulting in bodily injury and destruction of federal property. Fox News Digital reached out to Pacheco’s attorney for comment. Patrick Divver, San Diego field office director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, commented that the operation “demonstrates the commitment of ERO officers to enforcing federal immigration laws and protecting public safety. “Despite the challenges encountered, our officers remain dedicated to carrying out their duties with professionalism,” he said. TRUMP EXPANDS DEPORTATION DEALS AS MORE COUNTRIES AGREE TO TAKE MIGRANTS “The arrest of this individual for assaulting our officers or agents underscores our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the safety of law enforcement personnel and holding offenders accountable,” said Homeland Security Investigations San Diego Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson. “We will not tolerate violence against law enforcement, and we are resolute in our pursuit of justice,” added Gibson. This comes as another illegal Indian national, Harjinder Singh, is accused of causing a crash in Fort Pierce, Florida, that killed three people. Singh, who crossed into the United States illegally in 2018 via the southern border, obtained a commercial driver’s license in California. He attempted to obtain work authorization, but it was rejected by the first Trump administration on Sept. 14, 2020, according to Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security assistant secretary for public affairs. TRUMP DEPORTATION POLICIES SPOOK PENNSYLVANIA CITY INTO SCRAPPING IMMIGRANT PROTECTION VOTE The Department of Transportation said in a statement that Singh failed his English proficiency and road signs tests, “providing correct responses to just 2 of 12 verbal questions and only accurately identifying 1 of 4 highway traffic signs.” According to the DOT, Singh was issued a regular full-term commercial driver’s license in the state of Washington in July 2023, but illegal immigrants are not allowed to obtain this type of license. A year later, Singh was issued a limited-term/non-domiciled commercial driver’s license in California. The DOT is investigating further whether the issuance of that license followed federal regulations. According to a new study by Pew Research, the illegal immigrant population in the United States reached a record 14 million in 2023 under the Biden administration.
Left-wing court hands Kristi Noem big win in ‘unvetted immigration’ case
The reliably liberal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on the West Coast handed the Department of Homeland Security a win on Wednesday after a panel of judges ruled to allow DHS to revoke refugee status for illegal immigrants from three key countries. The judges unanimously sided with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who had been sued by a group called the National TPS Alliance over the July revocation of TPS for Honduran, Nicaraguan and Nepalese migrants. Noem’s chief spokeswoman remarked that TPS in its name is supposed to be temporary and made a reference to the “unvetted immigration” aspect of the program. “This is yet another huge legal victory for the Trump administration, the rule of law, safety of the American public. Temporary Protected Status was always meant to be just that: temporary,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. VENEZUELAN MIGRANTS, PROGRESSIVE GROUP SUE TRUMP ADMIN AFTER NOEM NIXES BIDEN-ERA ‘PROTECTED STATUS’ “TPS was never meant to be a de facto asylum system, yet that is how previous administrations have used it for decades while allowing hundreds of thousands of foreigners into the country without proper vetting. This unanimous decision will help restore integrity to our immigration system to keep our homeland and its people safe.” Temporary Protected Status, a formal designation within the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1990, prescribes that people from countries facing armed conflict or environmental disasters may be present in the U.S. for a short time. Such migrants can obtain work and travel authorization and are protected from deportation for as long as the federal government decides. Tens of thousands of migrants collectively depended on that particular granting of TPS. DHS has also worked to revoke a separate designation for Venezuelan migrants. FED COURT OF APPEALS GRANTS TRUMP ADMIN PAUSE ON PROTECTIONS FOR 60K IMMIGRANTS Originally, a lower court in July blunted DHS’ effort to rescind TPS for Nicaraguan, Nepalese and Honduran migrants for a four-month period, so the court could fully investigate the case. The three-judge panel then intervened Wednesday. There are about 60,000 migrants who fall under this particular TPS group, according to CBS News. On Thursday, the American Civil Liberties Union collected several comments from TPS holders from the affected countries, expressing a mix of outrage and worry over the move. “I am heartbroken by the court’s decision. I’ve lived in the U.S. for years, and my kids are U.S. citizens and have never even been to Nepal,” said Sandhya Lama, a Nepalese TPS holder. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “We are not an ‘emergency.’ We are families, workers and neighbors who have built our lives here. Despite this setback, we will continue to fight for justice. This decision will not silence us. Our voices will be heard.” “I can’t believe that the government wants to rip away my legal status and separate me from my child. I have not been to Honduras since I was a baby,” added Jhony Silva, a Honduran native and plaintiff in the case.
Blue state investigates how illegal immigrant trucker got license before deadly Florida crash
The Washington State Department of Licensing is investigating how an illegal immigrant obtained a commercial driver’s license as questions loom after a deadly crash in Florida that killed three people last Tuesday. The case has reignited debate over state licensing loopholes and immigration enforcement, raising questions about how a noncitizen without legal status could have obtained a commercial driver’s license. “The Department of Licensing is investigating the 2023 issuance of Mr. Singh’s prior commercial driver license. I don’t at this time have a timeline on when the investigation will be completed, nor what we can release,” a spokesperson told Fox News Digital in an email on Thursday. The suspect, Harjinder Singh, entered the United States illegally in 2018 at the southern border, but he was denied authorization to work by the first Trump administration in 2020. Still, he was able to get a commercial driver’s license in California, according to the Department of Homeland Security. EXPERT REVEALS HOW ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TRUCKER MAY HAVE GOTTEN COMMERCIAL LICENSE BEFORE FATAL FLORIDA CRASH He also got a commercial driver’s license in July 2023 in the state of Washington, which is against the law there, according to the Department of Transportation. The driver allegedly made a U-turn in an area on the Florida Turnpike where such a turn is prohibited, causing his truck to crash with a minivan, killing three people. In addition, he failed an English proficiency assessment and a road sign test done by federal investigators. “During [the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s] interview with the driver, investigators administered an English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment in accordance with FMCSA guidance,” DOT said in a statement. “The driver failed the assessment, providing correct responses to just 2 of 12 verbal questions and only accurately identifying 1 of 4 highway traffic signs.” The California Department of Motor Vehicles has not responded to requests for comment on the issuance of the license. However, California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office got into an exchange on X with DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin about the details of how he got a work permit. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TRUCKER ACCUSED OF KILLING THREE PEOPLE FAILED ENGLISH, ROAD SIGN TESTS: DOT “Hey, genius: the federal government (TRUMP ADMIN) already confirmed that this guy meets federal and state immigration requirements — YOU issued him a work permit (EAD). As usual, the Trump Administration is either lying or clueless,” Newsom’s press office posted earlier this week. “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. There is no national CDL. Sincerely, Genius,” McLaughlin replied. CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE Singh was extradited to Florida from California on Thursday. There’s been concerns in other states about illegal immigrants being issued standard driver’s licenses as well, including allegations from a whistleblower in Kentucky alleging that people would pay under the table to obtain the licenses illegally. ILLEGAL ALIEN ACCUSED OF CAUSING FATAL SEMI TRUCK CRASH THAT KILLED 3 PEOPLE: ‘SHOCKING AND CRIMINAL’ Lora Ries, director of the Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation, told Fox News Digital on Wednesday about how Singh’s case could happen in the first place. “Just as states issue driver’s licenses, they also issue commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). States are not supposed to issue CDLs to a person unless they are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder). There seems to be a loophole for a state to issue a CDL to someone who is merely authorized to work in the U.S.,” Ries explained in a statement. “Note that the Trump (45) administration denied Harjinder Singh’s application for work authorization, but the Biden administration later granted his request. That could be enough to exploit this CDL loophole in a willing state.”
Florida official confronts Newsom over crash tied to illegal immigrant trucker
Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins on Thursday blamed California Gov. Gavin Newsom for the deaths of three Floridians, allegedly caused when an illegal immigrant trucker who obtained a CDL in California made an illegal U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike and struck a van. Collins declared his visit to California “isn’t business as usual” as he prepared to depart for Tallahassee with Indian national Harjinder Singh in tow. Collins claimed Newsom is the culprit for systemic issues, particularly on the illegal immigration front, that he said led to Singh wrecking in St. Lucie County Aug. 12. “I don’t want to be here today. We’re here today because of tragedy. Three Floridians’ lives ended early. “Three lives lost because of Gavin Newsom, because of California’s failed policies. We’re done with that s—.” DESANTIS: STATE LINE WON’T PROTECT CRIMINAL ILLEGALS; SENDS ‘CHUCK NORRIS’ DEPUTY TO NAB FUGITIVE TRUCKER Collins said Singh illegally crossed the border, got a CDL in California and later could only answer three of 16 questions properly due to English illiteracy when he was interrogated by Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) following the deadly crash. “That thug fled back here because he knew these policies would defend him.” Collins spoke of allegations against Singh in the broader context of illegal immigrants putting citizens in danger. “How many more lives have to be lost because of Gavin Newsom’s failed policies? How many more lives have to be lost because of fentanyl, because of gangs, because of rampant disregard for American citizens?” Collins said. “The fact of the matter is Gavin Newsom continues to care more about tweets and what goes out on social media than taking care of the American citizens and the citizens of California.” In recent days, Newsom’s press office’s official X feed has mimicked the “ALL CAPS,” stream-of-consciousness style and at times verbiage — like “your favorite governor” — of President Donald Trump’s Truth Social posts. Newsom returned fire on X, with his press office’s account claiming Florida “let a murder suspect walk.” “California police had to step in and arrest him, and now Florida’s new LG is staging a photo op to pick him up.” In comments to Fox News Digital, Newsom spokeswoman Diana Crofts-Pelayo rejected Collins’ claims. “So, let’s get this straight: Florida let a murder suspect walk, California police had to step in and arrest him and now Florida’s new LG is staging a photo op to pick him up?” Crofts-Pelayo said. ILLEGAL TRUCKER ‘DEPORTED HIMSELF TO CA,’ LAWMAKER SAYS, WHILE REVEALING SYSTEMIC CRISIS IN TRANSPORTATION “The guy who lost to Mickey Mouse is now proving that California’s so-called ‘sanctuary’ laws actually work. Thanks, Ron,” Crofts-Pelayo said. Newsom’s account went on to call DeSantis “Meatball Ron” and claim he “lost to Mickey Mouse” in an apparent reference to the battle over the “Reedy Creek Improvement District” in which Walt Disney World sits. The district has special authorizations to self-govern in some ways, including maintaining its own highway network. “[DeSantis] is now proving that California’s so-called ‘sanctuary’ laws actually work. Thanks, Governor.” Collins, whom Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dubbed “The Chuck Norris of Florida Politics” for his eagerness to go into dangerous or tenuous situations like retrieving Singh as well as Jewish Americans trapped in Israel after the 2023 Hamas attack, said he was out of his element in the Golden State but undeterred from the mission at hand. “This isn’t politics as usual. I am not your run-of-the-mill lieutenant governor,” Collins told reporters at Stockton Airport, south of Sacramento. “In the words of what I would say, some left-leaning Californians, I don’t identify as a politician. I identify as a God-fearing, gun-loving, freedom-defending, one-legged, retired Green Beret,” said Collins, a former Tampa state senator who lost his leg in the War on Terror. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Collins claimed Newsom had said he only came to California for the media attention. “What a bunch of hogwash. I don’t think he understands the first thing about leadership. Leadership is getting on the ground and saying the hard things,” Collins said, quipping California is not a Florida Republican’s “home turf.”