Fort Pierce, FL – August 17, 2025 – A tragic crash on Florida’s Turnpike near Fort Pierce this week has reignited a firestorm of criticism over the presence of unqualified foreign nationals in the American trucking industry. On Tuesday, August 12, Harjinder Singh, a Punjabi driver who obtained his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in California, made an illegal U-turn in his semi-truck, causing a catastrophic collision that killed three Americans in a minivan. The incident has fueled claims that lax regulations and sanctuary state policies are flooding U.S. highways with undertrained, unvetted drivers, endangering lives.
The Fort Pierce crash, reported by CBS12, involved Singh attempting a prohibited U-turn on the busy Florida Turnpike, a maneuver deemed a “last resort” by trucking industry standards due to its high risk. The resulting collision crushed the victims’ vehicle, shutting down the highway and prompting calls for stricter oversight of CDL issuance. Singh, an undocumented immigrant who crossed the Mexican border, received his CDL in California, a state criticized for issuing licenses to non-residents with minimal scrutiny. Critics argue this reflects a broader issue: an influx of foreign nationals, often lacking adequate training or English proficiency, driving massive rigs on American roads.
American Truckers United (ATU) has sounded the alarm, estimating that over 130,000 non-citizen drivers hold non-domiciled CDLs, many bypassing rigorous vetting. The group points to weakened standards under prior administrations, which allowed states like California to issue licenses to undocumented immigrants, as a key driver of the crisis. A 2025 Austin, Texas, crash that killed five and injured 11, involving a migrant driver with limited English, further underscores the issue. ATU claims these drivers, often employed by corporations exploiting cheap labor, contribute to rising highway fatalities.
Data from Robson Forensic highlights that illegal maneuvers like U-turns rank among the top causes of truck-related crashes. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) explicitly discourage such actions, yet enforcement remains inconsistent. In Singh’s case, his failure to ensure 500 feet of visibility, as required by Florida law, directly led to the tragedy. The incident has prompted calls for a nationwide audit by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to investigate non-citizen drivers’ qualifications.
Critics, including the American Trucking Associations, counter that claims of “millions” of foreign drivers are exaggerated, citing federal data showing 1.68 million new CDL holders from 2016-2024, not all foreign. However, the Fort Pierce crash has galvanized public outrage, with posts on X decrying sanctuary state policies and corporate greed. As the industry faces a driver shortage, the tension between labor needs and safety standards grows, leaving Americans to navigate increasingly perilous highways.
The American Trucking Industry has been gutted by unregulated immigration over the past five years. These “California ” drivers are part of an eco system that puts profit over safety. That puts greed before your family.
— American Truckers ?? (@atutruckers) August 16, 2025
A system that not only doesn’t put Americans first but… pic.twitter.com/HZBXWg0eck
