US Arrests Illegal Indian Driver After California Multi-Vehicle Crash

(CALIFORNIA) Federal immigration agents have arrested an illegal Indian immigrant, Partap Singh, in connection with a deadly multi-vehicle crash that left a five-year-old California girl permanently disabled, intensifying a national fight over whether undocumented residents should be allowed to hold a California CDL. Singh, who crossed the southern border in October 2022 and later obtained a commercial driver’s license in California, was taken into custody by ICE in August 2025 and remains detained pending immigration proceedings, according to federal officials.

The June 20, 2024 crash — which investigators say involved unsafe speed and ignored construction warnings — has become a flashpoint in the debate over state licensing policies and public safety on U.S. highways.

The victim and human toll

Authorities say the crash critically injured five-year-old Dalilah Coleman, who suffered permanent brain damage, cerebral palsy, and global developmental delay. Doctors expect she will need care and therapy for the rest of her life.

Families like the Colemans are not focused on politics; they want answers about how someone without legal status and, critics say, without strong English skills, could be cleared to haul freight through busy construction zones.

A child who once ran and laughed now attends therapy sessions and medical appointments, with her parents learning to plan their lives around a long list of treatments.

Federal criticism and political reaction

The incident has drawn sharp criticism from the Department of Homeland Security and other federal officials, who blame California’s licensing approach for allowing Singh to drive an 18-wheeler despite his undocumented status. They have called the tragedy “entirely preventable,” alleging systemic failures in licensing and oversight.

DHS leaders have also attacked Governor Gavin Newsom’s policies, arguing that expanding access to CDLs for undocumented residents undermines federal safety standards. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem labeled Singh a “dangerous alien” and urged state leaders to halt the practice, asking, “How many more innocent people must become victims before Gavin Newsom stops playing games with American lives?”

Those remarks followed similar federal criticism after another case in August 2025 involving an illegal Indian immigrant, Harjinder Singh, who obtained a California CDL and then caused a fatal crash in Florida that killed three people.

Policy at the center: AB 60 and CDL standards

At the center of the fight is California’s AB 60 law, a 2013 measure expanded under Governor Newsom. The policy allows non-citizens — including undocumented immigrants — to apply for driver’s licenses and CDLs.

State records show that between 2020 and 2025 California issued an estimated 500,000–600,000 AB 60 licenses, including commercial licenses, to undocumented migrants. Critics argue this scale of licensing erodes national safety rules and invites uneven enforcement across state lines.

Federal concerns about the English language requirement

Federal officials highlight the English language rule for CDL holders as a core concern. Under federal standards, commercial drivers must be able to “read and speak the English language” to:

• Understand road signs
• Communicate with law enforcement
• Complete accident and inspection reports

Critics say California does not enforce this requirement strictly enough, which risks tragedies when drivers face fast-changing traffic conditions or complex work zones. DHS officials linked Singh’s case to these worries, citing reports that he drove at unsafe speeds and missed multiple warnings before the crash.

National implications

Truckers cross state lines every day, and a CDL from one state grants access to highways across the United States.

When something goes wrong — as it did for the Coleman family — the injuries, costs, and grief ripple far beyond one zip code. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the central question is whether states that issue CDLs to undocumented residents can meet federal safety expectations in practice, not just on paper, especially as freight demand and driver shortages push more newcomers into the industry.

Enforcement actions and ICE involvement

ICE has placed detainers to keep those arrested in custody after any state criminal proceedings end. Officials say this helps ensure that noncitizens who pose public safety risks are not released before immigration cases are resolved.

• In Singh’s case, ICE moved after the crash investigation flagged immigration violations and possible removal grounds.
• He remains in detention as his immigration case proceeds.

Licensing rules under fire and possible shifts in enforcement

California’s AB 60 program, as presented by the state, aims to bring more drivers into the tested and insured pool, with supporters arguing it makes roads safer overall. Opponents point to exceptions they say weaken the system — especially around language testing and documentation checks for CDL applicants.

The two recent cases involving illegal Indian immigrants holding California CDLs — Partap Singh in California and Harjinder Singh in Florida — have fueled calls for pause or a full policy reset.

Federal transportation response

The Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has opened investigations into licensing and safety enforcement affecting CDL holders. The administration is:

• Reviewing how states confirm language skills
• Verifying identity procedures
• Tracking violations for commercial drivers

Officials also announced a pause on issuing worker visas for commercial truck drivers while reviews continue, a move intended to slow new entries into the field until safety and vetting standards are re-checked.

Impact on stakeholders

The uncertainty has tangible costs:

• Shippers worry about delivery delays if driver numbers fall.
• Training schools question whether new oversight will change testing timelines.
• Immigrant families fear that policy shifts could erase years of careful planning.

For victims like the Colemans, the focus is on accountability: whether the state should have allowed Singh to drive a semi-truck on a California highway, and whether more robust safety checks could have prevented the crash.

Possible legal outcomes for Singh

Lawyers tracking the case say several outcomes are possible:

1. Singh could face state criminal charges tied to reckless driving or related offenses.
2. After criminal proceedings, ICE would take custody under an immigration detainer.
3. Immigration judges could consider removal based on entry without inspection and any criminal convictions.
4. If deported, Singh would be barred from reentering for a period set by federal law.
5. If criminal proceedings take longer, the immigration case could pause until a verdict is reached.

Ongoing investigations, community impact, and next steps

As of September 26, 2025, Singh remains in ICE custody pending deportation or further legal action.

California’s licensing framework for undocumented immigrants faces intense federal and political backlash, with calls for:

• Strict enforcement of CDL standards
• Deeper audits of state testing centers
• Tighter verification of identity documents

FMCSA’s review could lead to more uniform national checks, including stronger English testing for CDL applicants and closer monitoring of commercial driving schools.

Broader coordination and victim support

Federal agencies say they are stepping up coordination to prevent repeat cases where undocumented drivers obtain a CDL and later cause harm. ICE has emphasized detainers to prevent releases that could raise public safety risks.

DHS directs victims of crimes tied to immigration cases to the VOICE Office at 1-855-488-6423 for information, referrals, and help with victim services.

Perspectives from the trucking community

Community leaders in trucking hubs emphasize the realities of freight:

• Many long-haul routes struggle to attract enough licensed drivers.
• Small carriers depend on new entrants who often learn on the job.

Companies argue that better training, not just stricter screening, could prevent tragedies. Safety advocates counter that training only works when drivers can read, speak, and process warnings under stress — a point they say is non-negotiable for anyone holding a California CDL.

For immigrant workers, reactions are mixed:

• Some fear blanket bans that punish thousands who follow rules and drive safely.
• Others welcome clearer standards that apply equally to everyone behind the wheel of a heavy truck.

Lawyers warn that anyone in undocumented status who holds a CDL could face more stops, audits, or license checks while investigations continue.

What to watch next

Policy watchers expect:

• Closer examination of how states record CDL test outcomes, including language scores
• Tighter confirmation of identity for applicants without U.S. passports
• Improved data-sharing between state DMVs and national safety databases to spot red flags earlier

Advocates for victims want clearer proof that language testing and safety warnings were understood and obeyed, especially in work zones where one mistake can be catastrophic.

Federal authorities say they will keep the pressure on until they see concrete changes in state licensing rules and oversight. State officials must decide whether to defend the current system or tighten it to meet federal demands.

Further information

For readers looking to understand federal expectations for commercial drivers, see the FMCSA’s page on CDL standards and the English language rule for drivers who cross state lines in the United States 🇺🇸: FMCSA Commercial Driver’s License Standards.