Rep. Juan Porras (R-Miami) and fourteen other House Republicans criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom over his state's sanctuary state policies following a deadly crash involving an illegal alien truck driver that took the lives of three people in Florida. MxM News was first to share the joint statement by the House.
"Florida will not stand idly by while the failed policies of California and Gavin Newsom endanger the lives of our residents," Porras told The Floridian. "I stand with my colleagues in the Florida Legislature and stay committed to finding new ways to protect our state from irresponsible practices of other states."
The illegal immigrant, Harjinder Singh, who possessed a commercial driver's license, was driving a semi-truck when he allegedly attempted an illegal U-turn on Florida's Turnpike in St. Lucie County on Aug. 12. The subsequent maneuver caused a collision with a Chrysler minivan, which was crushed beneath the trailer.
Two of the minivan's passengers died at the scene from their injuries. The driver of the car was airlifted to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital, where he also died.
Singh entered the U.S. illegally in 2018.
He later obtained his commercial driver's license (CDL) from California, which, under their laws, allows illegal aliens to obtain a CDL. Singh also reportedly had a CDL from Washington State.
"The fatal consequences of these so-called "sanctuary state" laws are not confined within California's borders," the House Republicans said. "What happens there ultimately harms families across the country and creates a clear threat to national security."
Rep. Meg Weinberger (R-Palm Beach Gardens), who joined in the statement, also ripped Newsom in a previous MxM post and on social media.
Reps. Jon Albert (R-Frostproof), Yvette Benarroch (R-Naples), Omar Blanco (R-Miami), Peggy Gossett-Seidman (R-Highland Beach), Kim Kendall (R-St. Augustine), Monique Miller (Palm Bay), Danny Nix, Jr. (R-Placida), Michael Owen (R-Apollo Beach), Jenna Persons-Mulicka (R-Fort Myers), Mike Redondo (R-Miami), Michelle Salzman (R-Escambia County), and Dana Trabulsy (R-Fort Pierce) also joined in the statement.
Singh has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and could face up to 45 years in prison if convicted. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins is reportedly in California today to extradite Singh to Florida.
"California Democrats have chosen to prioritize illegal alien citizens and law-abiding legal residents," the House Republicans added. "Florida will never accept this madness. Here, we defend our people, and we will uphold law and order to stop California's reckless ideology from ever crossing our state line."
