A New Jersey truck driver has been arrested in Florida as part of the state’s intensified immigration enforcement efforts, according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
The driver, identified as Roberto Carlos Vergara Cervantes, originally from Ecuador, was taken into custody while operating a commercial vehicle and was found to be an unauthorized immigrant. He has been turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and faces possible deportation.
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Uthmeier emphasized the state’s stance, stating:
“If you’re here illegally or can’t speak English, you have no business operating large commercial vehicles on Florida’s roads.”
Florida has increased inspections at truck checkpoints to verify drivers’ English proficiency and detect fraudulent documents.
The crackdown follows an Aug. 12 crash involving Harjinder Singh, an unauthorized immigrant from India, who allegedly made an illegal U-turn, causing a collision that killed three people. Singh has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and was denied bail.
Although New Jersey issues standard driver’s licenses to undocumented residents, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) clarified that commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) are only available to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
MVC spokesman William Connolly stated:
“New Jerseyans who safely operate a vehicle in compliance with state and federal law should be able to utilize their licenses in all U.S. states. The MVC will continue to issue commercial and non-commercial driver’s licenses in accordance with state and federal law.”
Florida officials have also urged the U.S. Department of Transportation to revoke federal funding for states that allow unauthorized immigrants to obtain commercial driving credentials.
This case highlights escalating tensions between states with differing licensing policies and Florida’s heightened immigration enforcement.
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