.
Harjinder Singh, an undocumented immigrant from India who came to the U.S. in 2018, was behind the wheel of a semi-truck when he made an illegal U-turn, causing an accident that claimed three lives.
Now, he faces up to 45 years in prison – but instead of sympathy for the victims’ families, a Change.org petition calling for leniency has gathered more than 1.6 million signatures. The petition suggests Singh should get “counseling or community service” instead of prison time.
That hasn’t sat well with many Americans.
NEW: Over 1.65M people have signed a petition to free the illegal immigrant truck driver who made an illegal U-Turn, taking the lives of 3 Americans.
The petition argues that Harjinder Singh should be sentenced to counseling or community service.
Some supporters are leaving… pic.twitter.com/45I0nUFgfv
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 23, 2025
Policies That Made It Possible
The case has raised major questions about how Singh was even allowed to drive a commercial truck in the first place.
California, where Singh obtained his license, allows illegal immigrants to get driver’s licenses. That includes commercial licenses for semi-trucks, despite the fact that trucking is one of the most high-risk jobs on the road.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis blasted the policy, calling it “asinine” and pointing out that it directly put lives at risk. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom defended the practice, framing it as an “equity” issue.
This clash highlights the very different paths states are taking on immigration and public safety.
Here in Nevada, the issue hits close to home. Back in 2014, then-Governor Brian Sandoval signed a bill allowing driver’s authorization cards for undocumented immigrants.
Supporters said it would improve road safety by ensuring more drivers were tested and insured, but critics (including many law enforcement groups) warned it would create loopholes.
Singh’s case shows those concerns weren’t far-fetched.
Rule of Law vs. Political Pressure
Singh entered the country illegally. He then obtained permits and licenses he should never have had. And now, after causing three preventable deaths, international politicians are weighing in on his behalf.
Indian MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal even called on India’s government to intervene, putting foreign pressure on an American legal case. That’s seen by some as an insult to American sovereignty.
Public Safety Concerns
This tragedy has also impacted the debate about border security and illegal immigration.
Conservatives argue that tragedies like this could be prevented if immigration laws were enforced more strictly. They point to Nevada’s own struggles with human smuggling routes through the I-15 and I-80 corridors, where law enforcement officers often say they lack resources to keep up.
Sheriff Joe Lombardo, before becoming governor, frequently warned that weak border enforcement doesn’t just affect border states like Texas and Arizona. Nevada, a hub for trucking and tourism, is also directly impacted.
Singh’s case proves that point.
Critics and the Other Side
Supporters of leniency argue Singh did not intend to cause harm and that a long prison sentence won’t bring back the victims. They also claim cultural bias plays a role in the backlash.
Conservatives counter that intentions don’t erase consequences – and that every American deserves equal protection under the law, regardless of politics.
Why It Matters
At its heart, this case is about whether America will stand firm on law and order or bend to political pressure.
Millions of signatures on a petition don’t change the fact that three families will never see their loved ones again.
Nevada voters know firsthand how immigration debates shape public policy. From driver’s cards for illegal immigrants to debates over sanctuary policies in Clark County, decisions made by politicians have real, sometimes deadly, consequences.
Singh’s case is not just about Florida or California – it’s about making sure America doesn’t keep repeating the same mistakes.
Enforce the law, protect American citizens, and put victims ahead of politics.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
