Ohio Congressmen Challenged California CDL Policies
A federal inquiry followed a fatal crash involving a driver who allegedly entered the U.S. illegally.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Immigration
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Ohio Republican members of Congress sent a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom demanding answers regarding commercial driver licensing. The inquiry follows a fatal September 2 collision in Pleasant Township involving a California-licensed driver who entered the country illegally.
Why it matters
Lawmakers are investigating whether California’s licensing standards and sanctuary state policies contributed to the death of Brenda Watson. They seek to determine if state officials knew of the driver's immigration status prior to issuing his credential.
A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration audit found that over 25% of commercial driver's licenses California issued to non-citizens were improperly processed. Manjit Singh, the driver involved in the fatal crash, received his license in 2025.
The players
Gavin Newsom
He is the Governor of California and is currently the recipient of a federal inquiry from Ohio lawmakers.
Max Miller
He is a U.S. Representative from Ohio who signed the letter addressed to the California governor.
Jim Jordan
He serves as a U.S. Representative from Ohio and is one of the signatories of the congressional letter.
Manjit Singh
He is a 39-year-old truck driver charged with aggravated vehicular homicide following a fatal collision.
Brenda Watson
She was a 50-year-old Ohio resident who died in a head-on collision on September 2.
The details
On September 2, a tractor-trailer driven by 39-year-old Manjit Singh struck a Chevrolet Cruze driven by 50-year-old Brenda Watson on U.S. 68. Singh, who reportedly entered the U.S. illegally in October 2023, has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide.
Timeline
October 2023: Manjit Singh entered the United States illegally.
2025: California issued a commercial driver's license to Singh.
September 2, 2026: Brenda Watson died in a traffic collision in Pleasant Township.
September 18, 2026: Five Ohio Republican congressmen signed a letter to Governor Newsom.
September 25, 2026: The deadline for Governor Newsom to provide a response.
Political Context
California officials have rejected claims that the state does not verify legal status or properly test commercial driver license applicants. The state maintains that it verifies legal presence through the federal SAVE database before issuing any commercial credentials.
This inquiry may lead to stricter federal oversight or changes in how states process commercial driver applications for non-citizens. Residents may see renewed debate regarding the impact of state-level immigration policies on public safety on local roadways.
The takeaway
The intersection of state licensing procedures and federal immigration status continues to be a point of intense political conflict between jurisdictions. Citizens and policymakers remain focused on how these administrative protocols impact safety on regional transportation networks.
What happens next
Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to respond to the congressional demand for information by September 25, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about federal and state policy debates on the Immigration section of our site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cleveland.
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Should states be permitted to issue commercial driver's licenses to non-citizens?
