In a bold and contentious move, the Trump administration announced plans to withhold $40 million in federal transportation funds from California due to the state’s refusal to implement and enforce English language proficiency requirements for commercial truck drivers. The decision, which has sparked considerable debate, comes just weeks after a fatal crash in Florida involving an illegal immigrant truck driver who had failed an English language test but was still granted a commercial driver’s license by the state of California.
A Tragic Incident Leads to Policy Action
The decision to withhold the federal funds is tied to a tragic incident in August 2025, when a truck driver, Harjinder Singh, who had been issued a commercial driver’s license by California despite failing an English proficiency test, caused a fatal crash in Florida. Singh, a 28-year-old illegal immigrant from India, was driving a big rig when he made an illegal U-turn on a Florida highway, resulting in the deaths of three people. Investigators later revealed that Singh had failed an English test but was still given a commercial license. His ability to read road signs and communicate with law enforcement, both crucial for highway safety, was called into question.
Following the incident, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called out California for its failure to enforce the federal requirements for English proficiency among commercial drivers. According to Duffy, the lack of enforcement poses a significant safety risk to the public and is a matter of national concern. “California is the only state in the nation that refuses to ensure big rig drivers can read our road signs and communicate with law enforcement,” Duffy said in a statement. “This is a fundamental safety issue that impacts you and your family on America’s roads.”
The Administration’s Ultimatum
Duffy’s criticism of California was aimed at its consistent refusal to comply with English proficiency standards for commercial truck drivers, despite a 2018 executive order issued by President Donald Trump. That order mandated that all states enforce a set of rules requiring truckers to pass an English proficiency test in order to receive a commercial driver’s license (CDL). The test is designed to ensure that truckers can understand road signs, communicate with law enforcement during roadside checks, and respond appropriately to emergencies. This is seen as a fundamental safety measure, considering that commercial trucks are among the largest and most dangerous vehicles on the road.
In response to the fatal Florida crash, Duffy argued that California’s disregard for these regulations put lives at risk and demonstrated a disregard for public safety. “The Golden State thinks it’s OK to ignore @USDOT English language requirements for truckers. You can play all the games you want, but not at the expense of American lives,” Duffy wrote on social media. He warned that the withholding of federal funds would remain in place until the state enforces the English requirements and ensures that state inspectors test truck drivers’ English skills during routine roadside inspections.
California Defends Its Policies
In response to the Trump administration’s actions, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has vigorously defended the state’s policies, asserting that California’s commercial drivers are among the safest in the nation. “Commercial driver’s license holders in California had a fatal accident rate nearly 40% lower than the national average,” said Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokesperson for Governor Newsom. “Texas, the only state with more commercial driver’s license holders, has a rate nearly 50% higher than California’s.”
Crofts-Pelayo also criticized the Trump administration’s stance, suggesting that the focus should be on the facts rather than political rhetoric. “The facts don’t lie, although for the Trump administration, they seem optional,” she added. California’s defense hinges on the argument that the state’s commercial drivers already demonstrate a strong safety record, regardless of language proficiency.
The Background of Harjinder Singh
The truck driver involved in the fatal Florida crash, Harjinder Singh, is at the center of the debate. Singh, an Indian national who entered the United States illegally via Mexico in 2018, was issued a commercial driver’s license (CDL) by California despite failing an English language proficiency test. At the time of the crash, Singh was in the U.S. on a valid work permit, but his immigration status has since been called into question. Authorities stated that Singh had overstayed his work permit, making him an undocumented immigrant at the time of the crash.
Singh is facing three state counts of vehicular homicide and immigration violations. Despite the tragedy, California officials argue that Singh’s immigration status should not be the focal point of the debate. “Singh had a valid work permit when the license was issued,” said a spokesperson for the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). They further emphasized that Singh was not the only person involved in the crash, suggesting that other factors, such as his driving behavior, contributed to the deadly incident.
Federal and State Tensions Grow
The Trump administration’s decision to withhold funds has sparked a fierce political and legal battle between the federal government and the state of California. Critics of the Trump administration’s move argue that it is an overreach of federal power, especially since the decision is based on the actions of a single driver and the state’s overall safety record is commendable. However, proponents of the move insist that the lack of enforcement of the English proficiency requirement puts the lives of all road users at risk and creates a dangerous precedent for commercial vehicle safety nationwide.
In addition to the English proficiency issue, the case also highlights the broader debate over immigration policy. California, which has long been a sanctuary state, has often clashed with the Trump administration over immigration enforcement. The case of Harjinder Singh, an undocumented immigrant driving a big rig, is a prime example of this tension. While some argue that the focus should be on Singh’s qualifications and driving abilities rather than his immigration status, others insist that the failure to verify his language proficiency before granting him a commercial license is a clear failure in regulatory oversight.
Moving Forward: A Call for Stricter Enforcement
While the battle over language proficiency is far from over, it has brought attention to the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations for commercial truck drivers across the nation. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has made it clear that the federal government intends to hold states accountable for their failure to enforce these rules. “States that fail to comply with federal standards will face consequences,” Duffy said. “This is about ensuring the safety of our citizens on the road.”
California’s response to the federal ultimatum will likely set the stage for future debates over state versus federal authority in transportation safety. While Governor Newsom’s office continues to argue that the state’s commercial drivers are among the safest in the country, the Trump administration’s decision to withhold funding serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes in the ongoing fight over highway safety and immigration policy.
Conclusion
The debate over trucker language proficiency and the withholding of federal funds from California has brought to the forefront issues of public safety, immigration, and federal versus state authority. As the nation continues to grapple with these complex issues, the tragic crash in Florida serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring that commercial drivers can communicate effectively, understand road signs, and follow safety protocols. Whether California will comply with the federal government’s demands or fight the decision in court remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: this issue will continue to be a flashpoint in the larger political and policy debates of the day.
