Harjinder Singh, an Indian national, became the subject of contentious US headlines in August after his alleged illegal U-turn attempt on the Florida Turnpike killed three people in a mini-van. On Monday (US time), the Associated Press quoted court records showing that the commercial truck driver issued a not guilty plea during his first hearing slated that day.

The Indian man obtained a Commercial Driver’s License in California despite his illegal status in the country, Florida Highway authorities revealed early into the probe. Now scheduled to appear on a pre-trial docket call on Friday in Fort Pierce, the 28-year-old person came into the US unlawfully in 2018.

Officials have since also revealed that the trucker secured his license despite having failed an English Language Proficiency assessment, while also remaining unsuccessful in identifying 1 of 4 highway traffic signs.

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State issuance of commercial driver license

In light of Harjinder Singh’s case, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed in a news conference last week that a subsequently conducted audit revealed that multiple states had been following the same problematic pattern like California on the license scene. He also noted that Singh, who had been fast-tracked to deportation years ago, was never eligible for a commercial license due to his immigration history.

Duffy also disclosed that while license-related problems were apparently out of control in California, it was not the only state improperly issuing CDLs. Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas and Washington shared that troubling link in common.

‘No Name’ license issued to migrant in New York

Another case of a state issuing a questionable driver license to a migrant came into focus this week. On Tuesday (US time), the NY Post shared an exclusive report stating that a New York commercial driver’s license was found in the possession of a man at the centre of a raid catching 125 illegal immigrants in the state.

As per the document’s picture as shared by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, the license flashes “NO NAME GIVEN” at the spot where the man’s first and middle names should’ve been. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) confirmed the license was release, and was issued on April 14, with its expiration date set for May 26, 2028.

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Oklahoma Gov vs New York DMV: Lawful status under scanner

Stitt fumed at the development. “If New York wants to hand out CDLs to illegal immigrants with ‘No Name Given,’ that’s on them. The moment they cross into Oklahoma, they answer to our laws,” he wrote on X Monday. Sharing insight into the new streak of migrant arrests, he added, “During the operation, OHP (Oklahoma Highway Patrol) encountered numerous commercial truck drivers operating with licenses issued by sanctuary states, including one license listing ‘No Name Given.'”

DMV spokesman Walter McLure, on the other hand, shared a statement with The Post, saying, the license was “issued in accordance with all proper procedures, including verification of the individual’s identity through federally issued documentation.”

Despite the person being caught up in a raid centred around illegal immigrants, the spokesperson said he actually had “lawful status” to be in the country through a federal employment authorisation. Moreover, his licence was issued while keeping in line federal guidelines. Offering further explanation into the case, “It is not uncommon for individuals from other countries to have only one name.”