DOT Strips California of $40M After Illegal Immigrant's Deadly Crash

Paul Riverbank, 10/23/2025DOT cuts California funding after deadly crash involving undocumented driver sparks safety debate.

The Deadly Cost of Policy Gaps: When Immigration and Transportation Safety Collide

By Paul Riverbank

Political Analysis Desk

A horrific crash on California's I-10 has become the latest flashpoint in America's ongoing struggle to balance immigration policies with public safety concerns. The incident – which left three dead and others fighting for their lives – has exposed troubling gaps in both our immigration system and commercial driving regulations.

I've spent the past week diving into the details of this tragedy, and what I've found raises serious questions about our current approach to both border security and transportation safety.

The facts are stark: Jashanpreet Singh, just 21 years old, was behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound semi when it plowed into stopped traffic without even tapping the brakes. Singh, who entered the U.S. illegally before being released pending an immigration hearing in 2022, now faces charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

But here's what really caught my attention: This isn't an isolated incident. Just months ago, we saw an eerily similar scenario play out in Florida, where another undocumented driver, Harjinder Singh, was involved in a crash that claimed three lives. He had failed both English and road sign tests.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy isn't mincing words about the situation. He's taken aim specifically at California – the lone holdout among all 50 states refusing to enforce federal English language requirements for commercial drivers. The DOT's response? Withholding $40 million in highway safety funding from the Golden State.

Look, we need to be clear-eyed about this. This isn't just about immigration or just about transportation safety – it's about how these policy realms intersect in ways that can have devastating real-world consequences.

I've covered transportation policy for over two decades, and I can tell you: The commercial driving industry has long grappled with balancing accessibility and safety standards. But when we see multiple fatal crashes involving drivers who shouldn't have been behind the wheel in the first place – well, that demands our attention.

The toxicology reports confirming Singh's impairment add another layer to an already complex situation. ICE has now lodged a detainer, but that's closing the barn door after the horses have bolted.

From where I sit, this tragedy highlights a crucial truth: Policy decisions made in Washington's corridors of power have real consequences on America's highways. Three families are planning funerals because multiple systems failed simultaneously.

As this story continues to unfold, one thing is clear: We need a serious conversation about how we're managing both our borders and our highways. These aren't just abstract policy debates – they're matters of life and death.

The question now isn't whether we need reform, but how many more tragedies it will take before we see meaningful action on both fronts.

The Deadly Cost of Policy Gaps: When Immigration and Transportation Safety CollideBy Paul RiverbankPolitical Analysis DeskA horrific crash on California's I-10 has become the latest flashpoint in America's ongoing struggle to balance immigration policies with public safety concerns. The incident – which left three dead and others fighting for their lives – has exposed troubling gaps in both our immigration system and commercial driving regulations.I've spent the past week diving into the details of this tragedy, and what I've found raises serious questions about our current approach to both border security and transportation safety.The facts are stark: Jashanpreet Singh, just 21 years old, was behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound semi when it plowed into stopped traffic without even tapping the brakes. Singh, who entered the U.S. illegally before being released pending an immigration hearing in 2022, now faces charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.But here's what really caught my attention: This isn't an isolated incident. Just months ago, we saw an eerily similar scenario play out in Florida, where another undocumented driver, Harjinder Singh, was involved in a crash that claimed three lives. He had failed both English and road sign tests.Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy isn't mincing words about the situation. He's taken aim specifically at California – the lone holdout among all 50 states refusing to enforce federal English language requirements for commercial drivers. The DOT's response? Withholding $40 million in highway safety funding from the Golden State.Look, we need to be clear-eyed about this. This isn't just about immigration or just about transportation safety – it's about how these policy realms intersect in ways that can have devastating real-world consequences.I've covered transportation policy for over two decades, and I can tell you: The commercial driving industry has long grappled with balancing accessibility and safety standards. But when we see multiple fatal crashes involving drivers who shouldn't have been behind the wheel in the first place – well, that demands our attention.The toxicology reports confirming Singh's impairment add another layer to an already complex situation. ICE has now lodged a detainer, but that's closing the barn door after the horses have bolted.From where I sit, this tragedy highlights a crucial truth: Policy decisions made in Washington's corridors of power have real consequences on America's highways. Three families are planning funerals because multiple systems failed simultaneously.As this story continues to unfold, one thing is clear: We need a serious conversation about how we're managing both our borders and our highways. These aren't just abstract policy debates – they're matters of life and death.The question now isn't whether we need reform, but how many more tragedies it will take before we see meaningful action on both fronts.