Supreme Court Denies Florida’s Attempt to Sue California and Washington
In a significant ruling on Tuesday, the Supreme Court dismissed Florida’s challenge against California and Washington, which alleged these states improperly issued commercial driver’s licenses to individuals who entered the country without authorization and lacked proficiency in English.
Incident Involving Indian Truck Driver Raises Concerns
The legal battle stems from the tragic case of Harjinder Singh, an Indian truck driver who crossed into the United States from Mexico in August 2025. Singh died in an accident after attempting an illegal U-turn on a state highway. Investigations revealed that he likely struggled to read essential road signs. Although he faces criminal charges, Singh asserts his innocence.
Florida’s Argument about Federal Standards
Florida Attorney General James Usmeyer asserted that both California and Washington are neglecting federal safety regulations and immigration laws. Usmeyer claimed that the states permit individuals without proper training or reading capabilities to operate commercial vehicles, thereby jeopardizing public safety. He implored the Supreme Court to prohibit these states from issuing commercial driver’s licenses to anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, contending that this undermines federal safety requirements.
Response from California Officials
California officials contested Florida’s allegations, with Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasizing that the state’s Department of Transportation employs the federal SAVE database to validate the legal status and English proficiency of applicants, in accordance with state law. Bonta noted that Singh had received his commercial driver’s license only after meeting all necessary federal and state regulations.
Licensing Process Scrutinized
According to California officials, Singh applied for his license in July 2024, providing verified employment authorization documentation through federal channels. Bonta described Florida’s claims as unfounded, arguing that they stem from a clear misunderstanding of California’s licensing protocols. He asserted that the DMV rigorously checks for both legal presence and English proficiency before issuing licenses.
Washington’s Stance on the Lawsuit
Officials in Washington labeled Florida’s proposed lawsuit a politically motivated maneuver, particularly noting Usmeyer’s announcement of the case on Fox News. They highlighted that Florida has itself issued licenses that do not meet standard requirements, alleging that “thousands” of commercial drivers were granted licenses without the necessary verification of English proficiency or residency.
Opinions Among Justices and Federal Government Actions
While Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito expressed a willingness to let Florida proceed with its lawsuit, arguing that the Supreme Court should not shy away from interstate disputes, the case highlights broader federal concerns. The U.S. Department of Transportation is actively pursuing measures to limit the issuance of commercial driver’s licenses to immigrant truck drivers who do not meet federal standards. In April 2025, an executive order signed by President Trump reinforced requirements mandating that commercial drivers possess fluency in reading and writing English.
