The Office of Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced it is suing the State of California and Gov. Gavin Newsom over its sanctuary state policies involving undocumented immigrants, saying it has harmed states like Florida from protecting its residents. The filing comes after a deadly crash involving an Indian national, who allegedly made an illegal U-turn while driving a semi-truck on Florida's Turnpike in St. Lucie County back in August.
The driver, identified as Harjinder Singh, held a California commercial driver's license (CDL) at the time of the crash despite being unable to speak English or read road signs.
Uthmeier spoke on Florida's lawsuit with Sean Hannity on Fox News.
"We filed a lawsuit against California on behalf of Florida to hold them accountable for the carnage that their sanctuary illegal immigration policies have caused to states like Florida across the country," Uthmeier said.
The subsequent maneuver by Singh 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, while another passed away in a nearby hospital.
"Here in Florida, we can do everything right. We can back the blue, we can enforce the law, we can combat illegal immigration, but we still suffer when Gavin Newsom and liberals on the West Coast allow these illegals in," Uthmeier continued. "They encourage them, enable them to get these driver's licenses, and then they cross the country and ultimately take lives.
Uthmeier also pointed to drug cartels coming into the U.S. as another negative microcosm of sanctuary policy.
Moreover, Uthmeier blamed states like California for being "culpable" in their protection of illegal migrants. Florida Republicans also criticized the state under the leadership of Gov. Gavin Newsom for its sanctuary state policies.
Singh entered the U.S. illegally in 2018.
He later obtained his commercial driver's license from California, which, under their laws, allows illegal aliens to obtain a CDL. Singh also held a CDL from Washington.
Uthmeier's lawsuit also covers that state's sanctuary policy.
"They care more about their love affair with illegals than protecting American citizens, American victims that suffer every day from the harms that, you know, the open border has caused to the rest of the country, and that's why we're bringing this lawsuit," Uthmeier said.
Florida has charged Singh with three counts of vehicular homicide and manslaughter for the incident. In contrast, Uthmeier hinted that California and other states could be held liable for aiding and abetting illegal migrants over their sanctuary policies if his lawsuit is successful.
"They are knowingly aware of the dangers that their policies cause. They know that by giving people these truckers' licenses who don't speak English, they're putting families on the road in jeopardy," Uthmeier said. "Lives are lost. They know about it. They need to be held responsible."
