White House Highlights “Disturbing Pattern” Following Fatal Crash by Undocumented Indian Trucker

The White House has criticised California for issuing a commercial driver’s license to an “illegal alien” after an undocumented Indian-origin truck driver.

Jashanpreet Singh, caused a deadly eight-vehicle crash in Ontario, California, killing three people. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the incident part of a “disturbing pattern” of commercial licenses being granted to noncitizens living in the US illegally.

Leavitt said, “California issued this individual a license, and the Department of Transportation is reviewing the matter. He entered the United States illegally in 2022 and was released by the previous administration. Tragically, he killed three people.” She added that ICE has lodged a detainer for Singh following his arrest.

The 21-year-old, originally from Punjab, faces three counts of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated after reportedly driving under the influence. Four others were injured in the crash. Dashcam footage shows Singh’s truck striking a small white SUV, multiple vehicles, and finally crashing into a disabled truck on the freeway shoulder.

The incident follows a similar fatal crash in Florida last month, prompting Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the Trump administration to tighten rules for commercial driver’s licenses issued to noncitizens. Leavitt said the Transportation Department is “cracking down on licenses wrongly issued to individuals who should not hold these positions.”

Duffy emphasised, “These people deserve justice. There will be consequences,” and criticised California for not following the updated federal rules, suggesting the crash might have been prevented.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s office countered that Singh had been approved for federal employment authorisation multiple times, which allowed him to legally obtain a commercial driver’s license.