{"id":178840,"date":"2026-03-05T04:50:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T04:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/178840\/"},"modified":"2026-03-05T04:50:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T04:50:09","slug":"florida-sheriff-testifies-on-commercial-drivers-licenses-for-undocumented-migrants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/178840\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida sheriff testifies on commercial driver\u2019s licenses for undocumented migrants"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSTARTING AFTER THIS NEWSCAST AT 630. A BOY WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. LOST IN THE WOODS. DISCOVERED BY POLICE WITH THE HELP OF A POLICE K-9. TONIGHT HE IS REUNITED WITH HIS FAMILY. OUR TREASURE COAST BUREAU REPORTER RACHEL PERRY HAS THE VIDEO OF THE RESCUE AND SPOKE WITH AN OFFICER ABOUT THE FEAR FIRST RESPONDERS IN CASES LIKE THIS. SHE\u2019S ON IT. WE\u2019RE GOOD, WE\u2019RE GOOD. A K-9 IN ACTION AS OFFICERS DESPERATELY SEARCH FOR A 13 YEAR OLD BOY WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. SHE\u2019S ON. POLICE SAY THE BOY WALKED OFF ALONE MONDAY AFTERNOON AND WAS LAST SEEN NEAR TRAIN TRACKS. K-9, A BLOODHOUND WITH THE PORT SAINT LUCIE POLICE DEPARTMENT, IS CLOSING IN, IS USING THE CHILD SENT K-9, WHO LED OFFICERS TO A WOODED AREA. THE 13 YEAR OLD WAS FOUND SAFE, SUFFERING ONLY MINOR SCRAPES. YES. OKAY, COOL. NOW, THIS ISN\u2019T ALWAYS THE REALITY. CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ARE OFTEN DRAWN TO WATER. AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SAYS THAT\u2019S ALWAYS A FEAR OF THEIRS. IN A CASE LIKE THIS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, WE ARE SURROUNDED BY WATER. WHETHER IT\u2019S IN AN HOA, A COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT\u2019S THE OCEAN, A LAKE. IT IS A VERY SCARY AND REAL FEAR THAT WE NEED TO BE ADDRESSING IN OUR COMMUNITY. OFFICER BRITTANY MCNALLY SAYS SWIM LESSONS CAN BE LIFE SAVING, AND IN CASES LIKE THIS, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. WE ALWAYS SAY FIRST AND FOREMOST, LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. THE MORE INFORMATION THAT YOU CAN GIVE, THE BETTER. SO GIVE US THE LOCATION, THE DESCRIPTION OF THE CHILD, HEIGHT, WEIGHT, ETHNICITY. LAST SEEN WEARING. THE MORE INFORMATION, THE BETTER. ARE THEY KNOWN TO ELOPE? DO THEY SWIM? DO THEY YOU KNOW? DO THEY HAVE A FAVORITE PERSON THEY LIKE TO HANG OUT WITH? MCNALLY SAYS THEIR OFFICERS ARE TRAINED IN HELPING PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, INCLUDING WHEN THEY WANDER OFF. AND PARENTS SHOULD NEVER FEEL ASHAMED TO CALL 911. THERE IS NOTHING TO BE EMBARRASSED ABOUT. IF ANYTHING, WE WANT YOU TO CALL. THAT\u2019S WHAT WE\u2019RE HERE FOR. WE ARE HERE 24 OVER SEVEN. THERE\u2019S NEVER A TIME WHEN WE\u2019RE NOT GOING TO PICK UP THE PHONE.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

St. Lucie County sheriff Del Toro testifies in Washington on commercial driver\u2019s licenses for undocumented migrants<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"WPBF<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tUpdated: 11:33 PM EST Mar 4, 2026\n\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\tEditorial Standards \u24d8<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tVideo above: Missing 13-year-old boy found safe in Fort Pierce after police searchSt. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro spoke with lawmakers in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday about non-domiciled commercial driver\u2019s licenses issued to undocumented migrants.During his opening comments to the House Committee on Homeland Security, Del Toro discussed the Aug. 12, 2025, alleged illegal U-turn on Florida\u2019s Turnpike in St. Lucie County by commercial truck driver Harjinder Singh.The incident led to a crash with another vehicle that killed three people, Herby Dufresne, Rodrigue Dor, and Faniola Joseph.During the hearing, Del Toro noted the need for strong, consistent, and reliable safety standards for commercial driver\u2019s licensing are essential to protecting the public.Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News\u201cFlorida has taken important steps to strengthen verification, improve coordination with federal authorities, and ensure compliance with federal standards,\u201d Del Toro said during the hearing. \u201cHowever, when these standards vary between states, those inconsistencies can create vulnerabilities that place our communities at risk.\u201dDel Toro noted that commercial driver\u2019s license holders should meet the highest standards of qualification, training and verification.Rep. Matt Van Epps, a Republican from Tennessee\u2019s Seventh Congressional District, which includes parts of Nashville, questioned Del Toro about the Aug. 12 crash and how the crash impacted St. Lucie County.\u201cIt has impacted our county in a very tragic way by the loss of three lives,\u201d Del Toro said. \u201cIt was an illegal U-turn in the middle of our Florida Turnpike and really for no reason, there was no emergency that was ahead. It was just an illegal U-turn where, a completely unsafe maneuver, cost three people, who were traveling close to 80 mph to go underneath the back of that truck and lose their lives.\u201dDel Toro discussed what Florida has done since the Aug. 12 crash in relation to non-domicile CDL holders. Florida only issues licenses to drivers who are in the country legally Licenses issued to non-citizens with Temporary Legal Presence, non-domicile, are valid for a year or the last state of the customer\u2019s legal status, whatever comes first For each license issued to non-citizens, Florida verifies electronically with DHS (Department of Homeland Security) and the SAVE system (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program) that the customer has legal presence in the United States All documents are maintained to establish their identity and legal status. The documents are available in the state\u2019s DAVID (Driver and Vehicle Information Database) system All issuances involving drivers with Temporary Legal Presence, non-domicile, are conducted in-person If a non-citizen is only allowed to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis, the word \u201ctemporary\u201d is placed on the front of the driver\u2019s license, due to federal safety rule updates Florida will begin printing the word \u201cnon-domicile\u201d on the license moving forward The written CDL knowledge test that was previously provided in Spanish and English with prior approval from the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). The state recently changed policy that all driver\u2019s license testing, including Class E, must be taken in English only The behind the wheel CDL skills test is provided in English, as required by FMCSA regulations At the request of FMCSA, Florida paused all issuance of CDLs to non-domicile drivers on Nov. 24, 2025, and plans to resume issuance after the new FMCSA rules become effective in mid-MarchDel Toro said the Florida regulations are not meant to hurt people in the United States legally, but are to vet CDL applicants, increase standards to protect those on the road and enhance roadway safety.Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.\u201cHonored to testify today on Capitol Hill before the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability regarding the issuance of commercial driver\u2019s licenses to individuals in the country illegally,\u201d Del Toro said in a statement on Facebook after the hearing. “Ensuring the integrity of our licensing systems is critical to public safety and national security.\u201dFollowing the crash, conversations about Singh\u2019s legal status in the United States and his understanding of English was analyzed.The U.S. Marshals Service said last year that Singh, who was born in India, entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 and obtained a California commercial driver\u2019s license.Singh, 28, remains in the St. Lucie County Jail on three counts of vehicular homicide, and three counts of manslaughter. He pled not guilty to the charges.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tWASHINGTON \u2014 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Video above: Missing 13-year-old boy found safe in Fort Pierce after police search<\/p>\n

St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro spoke with lawmakers in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday about non-domiciled commercial driver\u2019s licenses issued to undocumented migrants.<\/p>\n

During his opening comments to the House Committee on Homeland Security, Del Toro discussed the Aug. 12, 2025, alleged illegal U-turn on Florida\u2019s Turnpike in St. Lucie County by commercial truck driver Harjinder Singh.<\/p>\n

The incident led to a crash with another vehicle that killed three people, Herby Dufresne, Rodrigue Dor, and Faniola Joseph.<\/p>\n

During the hearing, Del Toro noted the need for strong, consistent, and reliable safety standards for commercial driver\u2019s licensing are essential to protecting the public.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"St.<\/p>\n

\n\t\tHearst OwnedWPBF 25 News\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSt. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro<\/p>\n

\n\tThis content is imported from YouTube.
\n\tYou may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.\n<\/p>\n

Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cFlorida has taken important steps to strengthen verification, improve coordination with federal authorities, and ensure compliance with federal standards,\u201d Del Toro said during the hearing. \u201cHowever, when these standards vary between states, those inconsistencies can create vulnerabilities that place our communities at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Del Toro noted that commercial driver\u2019s license holders should meet the highest standards of qualification, training and verification.<\/p>\n

Rep. Matt Van Epps, a Republican from Tennessee\u2019s Seventh Congressional District, which includes parts of Nashville, questioned Del Toro about the Aug. 12 crash and how the crash impacted St. Lucie County.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has impacted our county in a very tragic way by the loss of three lives,\u201d Del Toro said. \u201cIt was an illegal U-turn in the middle of our Florida Turnpike and really for no reason, there was no emergency that was ahead. It was just an illegal U-turn where, a completely unsafe maneuver, cost three people, who were traveling close to 80 mph to go underneath the back of that truck and lose their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Del Toro discussed what Florida has done since the Aug. 12 crash in relation to non-domicile CDL holders.<\/p>\n

Florida only issues licenses to drivers who are in the country legally Licenses issued to non-citizens with Temporary Legal Presence, non-domicile, are valid for a year or the last state of the customer\u2019s legal status, whatever comes first For each license issued to non-citizens, Florida verifies electronically with DHS (Department of Homeland Security) and the SAVE system (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program) that the customer has legal presence in the United States All documents are maintained to establish their identity and legal status. The documents are available in the state\u2019s DAVID (Driver and Vehicle Information Database) system All issuances involving drivers with Temporary Legal Presence, non-domicile, are conducted in-person If a non-citizen is only allowed to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis, the word \u201ctemporary\u201d is placed on the front of the driver\u2019s license, due to federal safety rule updates Florida will begin printing the word \u201cnon-domicile\u201d on the license moving forward The written CDL knowledge test that was previously provided in Spanish and English with prior approval from the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). The state recently changed policy that all driver\u2019s license testing, including Class E, must be taken in English only The behind the wheel CDL skills test is provided in English, as required by FMCSA regulations At the request of FMCSA, Florida paused all issuance of CDLs to non-domicile drivers on Nov. 24, 2025, and plans to resume issuance after the new FMCSA rules become effective in mid-March<\/p>\n

Del Toro said the Florida regulations are not meant to hurt people in the United States legally, but are to vet CDL applicants, increase standards to protect those on the road and enhance roadway safety.<\/p>\n

Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cHonored to testify today on Capitol Hill before the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability regarding the issuance of commercial driver\u2019s licenses to individuals in the country illegally,\u201d Del Toro said in a statement on Facebook after the hearing. “Ensuring the integrity of our licensing systems is critical to public safety and national security.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following the crash, conversations about Singh\u2019s legal status in the United States and his understanding of English was analyzed.<\/p>\n

The U.S. Marshals Service said last year that Singh, who was born in India, entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 and obtained a California commercial driver\u2019s license.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Harjinder<\/p>\n

\n\t\tSt. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHarjinder Singh<\/p>\n

Singh, 28, remains in the St. Lucie County Jail on three counts of vehicular homicide, and three counts of manslaughter. He pled not guilty to the charges.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"STARTING AFTER THIS NEWSCAST AT 630. A BOY WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. LOST IN THE WOODS. DISCOVERED BY POLICE…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":178841,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[65727,6388,1776,84590,2932,84595,28,15897,84591,84594,7939,84593,171,173,172,1402,84589,914,84592],"class_list":{"0":"post-178840","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-port-st-lucie","8":"tag-cdl","9":"tag-commercial-driver","10":"tag-crash","11":"tag-del-toro","12":"tag-english","13":"tag-federal-standard","14":"tag-florida","15":"tag-homeland-security","16":"tag-issuance","17":"tag-legal-status","18":"tag-license","19":"tag-non-domicile","20":"tag-port-st-lucie","21":"tag-port-st-lucie-headlines","22":"tag-port-st-lucie-news","23":"tag-st-lucie-county","24":"tag-st-lucie-county-sheriff-testifies-on-commercial-drivers-licenses-for-undocumented-migrants","25":"tag-state","26":"tag-temporary-legal-presence"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/178840","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=178840"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/178840\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/178841"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=178840"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=178840"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=178840"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}