Attorney General James Uthmeier of Florida has called on the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to revoke commercial driver’s license (CDL) program authority and withdraw related federal funding from California and Washington. This request follows a fatal crash on August 12, 2025, that resulted in three deaths.
“States like California and Washington ignored the rules, gave an illegal alien a license to drive a 40-ton truck, and three people are dead as a result. A preventable tragedy due to sanctuary state policies,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “In response, we’re supporting our Agricultural Law Enforcement and state police to ramp up inspections at state entry-points for illegal aliens who may be operating large trucks using out-of-state driver’s licenses. If you’re here illegally or can’t speak English, you have no business operating large commercial vehicles on Florida’s roads. We commend Commissioner Simpson and his department’s 287(g) certified law enforcement officers for turning Florida’s interdiction stations into strongholds of immigration enforcement. Together, we will ensure dangerous drivers are taken off the road and criminals serve their time before deportation.”
The announcement was made with Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Commissioner Wilton Simpson at an agricultural interdiction station along Interstate 10 in Live Oak. All FDACS sworn law enforcement officers became certified in July under the federal 287(g) program, allowing them to work with federal authorities on immigration enforcement while conducting agricultural inspections at checkpoints across Florida.
“The crash on the Florida Turnpike tragically took the lives of three Floridians and was a completely preventable consequence of illegal immigration and sanctuary-state policies. It is also a reminder of why the work of our law enforcement community to combat illegal immigration is so critical,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. “With 23 inspection stations on Florida roadways and 100 percent of our officers being certified in the 287(g) Program, Agricultural Law Enforcement officers are uniquely skilled and positioned to help prevent another tragedy and be a force multiplier in the fight against illegal immigration and criminal activity.”
Colonel Rick “Lee” Adams Jr., head of FDACS Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, emphasized cooperation among agencies: “By leveraging our agricultural inspection stations and 287(g) certified officers, we are working hand in hand with state and federal partners to identify dangerous drivers, enforce immigration laws, and combat criminal activity,” he said. “I want to thank Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Attorney General James Uthmeier for their unwavering leadership in standing up for law and order and ensuring that Florida remains a national leader in immigration enforcement.”
Garrett Ripa from ICE Enforcement echoed support for these efforts: “By targeting criminal illegal aliens who undermine the safety and integrity of U.S. immigration laws, the 287(g) program strengthens homeland security,” he stated. “We appreciate the Attorney General’s support and welcome our newest 287(g) partnership with FDACS as we continue to reinforce the rule of law in Florida.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Deputy Chief/U.S. Border Patrol Miami Samuel Briggs II added: “The Miami Sector Border Patrol is committed to working with our partners to ensure our enforcement efforts provide the safety and security the State of Florida and the American people deserve.”
According to findings cited by Attorney General Uthmeier’s office from DOT investigations after the recent crash, questioning revealed that the truck driver failed an English proficiency test—correctly answering only two out of twelve verbal questions—and recognized just one out of four traffic signs presented during assessment; despite this performance, Washington issued him a full-term CDL in 2023 followed by another from California in 2024.
Uthmeier stated that his office will use all available legal means so that those responsible serve significant prison sentences prior to any deportation proceedings.
Florida officials say they are reinforcing frontline measures by utilizing newly certified FDACS officers at interdiction stations statewide as part of broader efforts aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement.
