© 2025 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
WFSU-FM is currently broadcasting at reduced power. We apologize for this inconvenience. And remember, you can stream or listen to WFSU on the App.

Sen. Gaetz files a bill for the upcoming session targeting undocumented truck drivers

The crash allegedly occurred when a truck driver from India attempted a U-Turn on the turnpike
caribb/vladimircaribb
/
stock.adobe.com
The crash allegedly occurred when a truck driver from India attempted a U-Turn on the turnpike

After a crash last month on Florida’s Turnpike killed three people, a Senate Republican on Thursday filed a bill that seeks to crack down on truck drivers who are undocumented immigrants.

Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, filed the bill (SB 86) for consideration during the 2026 legislative session, which will start in January.

The bill would require law-enforcement officers to take into custody truck drivers who are determined to be undocumented immigrants and help transfer them to federal immigration officials. Also, it would require impounding trucks driven by undocumented immigrants who are taken into custody and imposing a $50,000 fine on the vehicles’ owners.

In addition, the owners would be barred from operating in Florida.

The bill came after semi-tractor trailer driver Harjinder Singh, a native of India, was arrested last month following a crash that allegedly stemmed from him attempting a U-Turn on the turnpike in St. Lucie County. The crash resulted in three deaths.