Florida Converts Truck Weigh Stations Into ICE Immigration Checkpoints

(LIVE OAK, FLORIDA) Florida on Monday moved all 23 of its state commercial vehicle inspection stations into active immigration checkpoints, a sweeping step that state leaders say is meant to prevent another deadly crash like the one that killed three people on the Florida Turnpike earlier this month. The change took effect on August 25, 2025, and was announced at a press conference in Live Oak led by Attorney General James Uthmeier, alongside leaders from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Why officials say the change was made

Officials say the new system is a direct response to an August 12 crash near Fort Pierce. Investigators say Harjinder Singh, an undocumented truck driver who entered the United States in 2018, made an illegal U-turn in a semi-truck on the Florida Turnpike, causing a collision that killed three people.

State leaders have said Singh:
– Held commercial driver’s licenses from Washington (issued in 2023) and California (issued in 2024).
– Failed required English proficiency tests.

The case has already stirred nationwide debate, including a clemency petition supporters say has gathered about 2.7 million signatures, underscoring how a single crash has become the spark for a tougher enforcement model on Florida’s highways.

New checkpoint operations and authority

Under the new plan:
– FDACS Agricultural Law Enforcement officers will run the checkpoints.
– For the first time at scale in Florida, officers will perform on-the-spot immigration checks under federal authority.
– Every FDACS officer at these stations is now certified under the federal 287(g) program, allowing state officers to perform certain immigration duties under ICE supervision.

Florida officials say this full certification across the unit is unique in the country and gives them direct authority to:
– Verify immigration status
– Spot document fraud
– Hold drivers for ICE when needed

ICE’s Garrett Ripa praised the shift as part of a broader move toward “interior enforcement,” which he said comes as border crossings have reportedly dropped to historic lows.

The state frames the approach as a legal, supervised partnership with ICE under the 287(g) framework to bring immigration checks into roadside safety inspections.

Official information on the 287(g) program is available at: https://www.ice.gov/287g

What officers will check at stations

The checkpoints will include more than traditional safety checks. Officers will:
– Check immigration status
– Confirm English language skills required by federal commercial driver rules
– Continue agricultural and safety inspections (brakes, tires, weights, etc.)
– Look for signs of human smuggling or fake documents
– Give extra scrutiny to out-of-state CDLs, especially from California and Washington

Florida officials say this approach responds to what they call “sanctuary-state” policies, which they argue contributed to unsafe driving and document problems on Florida roads.

Federal push and intergovernmental requests

Attorney General Uthmeier used the Live Oak event to call for federal action against California and Washington. He urged the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to pull CDL program authority and federal funds from those states, arguing their licensing systems failed to uphold federal standards.

Key officials’ statements:
– Wilton Simpson, Commissioner of Agriculture: FDACS officers are “uniquely placed” to enforce both agriculture and immigration rules at roadside stations.
– Colonel Rick “Lee” Adams Jr. (FDACS): The 287(g) partnership gives officers tools to intervene before tragedies occur.
– AG Uthmeier: Checkpoints will help “keep Florida safe.”

Supporters’ arguments

Supporters say:
– The move was overdue and is a direct response to the Turnpike crash.
– Linking status checks with standard inspections will stop unsafe drivers sooner, particularly those using fake papers or lacking English skills.
– Language proficiency is framed as a safety tool, not just paperwork.

Analysis cited by backers (VisaVerge.com) suggests that combining status checks with inspections can plausibly reduce the risk from drivers who cannot follow roadside warnings or read hazard signs.

Critics’ concerns and legal risks

Critics, including civil rights groups and immigration advocates, warn:
– The policy could increase racial profiling and uneven treatment of drivers.
– Immigrant families—even those with legal status—may feel chilled or fearful.
– The state may overstep in areas where federal law is supreme, prompting legal challenges.

Expectations:
– Lawsuits are likely, with both sides preparing for lengthy court battles that could define state-federal boundaries for immigration enforcement.

Impact on carriers, drivers, and supply chains

Immediate effects:
– Carriers and drivers coming into Florida should expect status questions, document checks, and more detailed interviews.
– Delays at the 23 stations are likely, especially during initial training and adjustment periods.
– Freight planners predict longer inspection times and potential driver shortages if drivers avoid Florida routes.

Industry concerns:
– Tighter checks may affect delivery windows, demurrage, port handoffs, and overall costs.
– Some carriers may reroute loads or assign different drivers to Florida lanes temporarily.

Effects on immigrant communities and legal oversight

Advocates say fear will spread beyond highways:
– Families worry a routine job could lead to detention far from home.
– Drivers fear small documentation errors might trigger arrests, even for those with valid status.

State response:
– Florida emphasizes 287(g) training and ICE supervision to reduce errors.
– Lawyers tracking immigration and policing warn error risks rise when state officers perform federal roles at busy roadside stops.

How this fits into broader federal trends

ICE officials described a move toward interior enforcement: if fewer people enter through the border, more checks will move inland where people live and work. Florida’s model could:
– Be studied and potentially replicated elsewhere
– Prompt DHS and ICE to weigh similar partnerships in other states

Legal framework: 287(g) program

Florida says every FDACS Agricultural Law Enforcement officer at these sites:
– Has completed required 287(g) training
– Works under ICE direction when handling immigration questions

ICE’s 287(g) pages: https://www.ice.gov/287g

Florida contends operating inside this framework keeps the program within federal law and avoids pitfalls seen in other states that attempted similar moves without full training or oversight.

The Turnpike crash as the policy driver

The crash remains the emotional center of the debate. State officials cite Singh’s history—entering in 2018 without papers, failing English proficiency, yet holding CDLs from two states—as evidence the system failed.

Central question:
– Will immigration-tied frontline checks prevent future tragedies or create new harms?

Possible federal consequences for other states

Florida is urging federal penalties against California and Washington for allegedly issuing CDLs improperly. If DOT and FMCSA act:
– The result could reshape how states issue CDLs.
– Expect pushback from the targeted states and allies, who will argue their programs meet federal rules.

Practical guidance for drivers and companies

Key facts for those planning routes this month:
– Effective date: August 25, 2025
– All 23 commercial vehicle inspection stations are now active immigration checkpoints
– Operated by FDACS Agricultural Law Enforcement under ICE direction
– Officers will:
– Check immigration status
– Confirm English proficiency per federal CDL rules
– Continue agriculture and safety inspections
– Watch for human smuggling and fake documents
– Out-of-state CDLs, especially from California and Washington, will face extra review
– Drivers found undocumented or using fraudulent documents may be detained and placed into removal proceedings

For updated station locations, procedures, and policy updates, Florida officials direct the public to FDACS and the Attorney General’s office. ICE’s public pages explain the 287(g) training and oversight rules that guide the partnership: https://www.ice.gov/287g

What to watch next

The near-term metrics and questions that will shape the debate:
– Are stations catching fake documents and unsafe drivers without causing major delays?
– Are officers applying standards fairly regardless of origin or issuing state?
– Are claims of racial profiling increasing, or are stations producing clear results with few complaints?

Florida says it will measure outcomes and share data with federal partners. Opponents will gather reports and pursue legal challenges. Early data and court rulings could determine whether this model spreads, is narrowed, or is reshaped.

Broader implications

If Florida’s model holds:
– Other states with heavy truck traffic or smuggling concerns may adopt similar tactics.
If courts limit Florida’s reach:
– The state may adjust or narrow the program.
If federal agencies act on Florida’s push against California and Washington:
– The conflict moves to the national stage, potentially reshaping CDL issuance practices.

Whatever unfolds, the death of three people on the Florida Turnpike has already changed the rules on Florida’s roads by bringing immigration enforcement into commercial vehicle inspections. The coming weeks and months will show whether the policy reduces tragedies or produces new legal and social consequences.