DHS Secretary Supports Proposed Dalila Act Following State of the Union Address
In a recent statement to FOX News Digital, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem voiced her backing for President Donald Trump’s Dalila Act. This comes after the State of the Union address, where she pointed out the bill’s necessity in preventing tragedies like that of a young girl left unable to walk or speak.
This proposed law is named after Dalila Coleman, who was severely injured in a crash in California back in June 2024. The incident was reportedly caused by Partap Singh, an undocumented immigrant from India.
The Dalila Act aims to stop states from issuing commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to illegal immigrants. Singh allegedly caused a multi-vehicle mishap while operating a commercial truck in a conservation area; his CDL had been issued by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles under Governor Gavin Newsom.
Dalila’s father, Marcus Coleman, shared that his daughter is unable to walk, speak, or eat and couldn’t even start kindergarten due to her injuries.
Noem commented, “Under President Trump’s leadership, we have sought justice for families impacted by crimes involving illegal aliens. The tragedy that befell Dalila Coleman could have been averted if California hadn’t granted commercial licenses to people who should not have been here.”
She added that the Department of Homeland Security works tirelessly every day to remove dangerous individuals who are in the U.S. illegally.
Partap Singh was arrested on August 29 in Fresno, California, following an inquiry by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which issued an arrest warrant. He will remain in ICE detention while awaiting immigration proceedings.
Echoing sentiments from the President’s address, the DHS stated allowing undocumented individuals—many of whom may not speak English—to hold commercial licenses is “reckless and extremely dangerous.” This concern extends to driving large vehicles or transporting hazardous materials on U.S. roads.
Earlier, ICE arrested Bekzan Beishekeyev, a 30-year-old undocumented immigrant from Kyrgyzstan, who allegedly swerved into oncoming traffic on February 3, resulting in a crash that killed four people.
Beishekeyev, who entered the U.S. illegally during Joe Biden’s presidency, had received a CDL in Pennsylvania.
In a separate incident, a 54-year-old Chinese man, identified only as “Juan,” was involved in a fatal Tennessee accident, also linked to a similar issue with a CDL issued despite lacking legal immigration status.
In December, Huang, who initially entered the country illegally from Mexico in 2023, caused a crash that resulted in a death and injuries to others. He was found to have failed an English proficiency test post-accident.
In another incident, Harjinder Singh, also an undocumented immigrant, was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide after causing a wreck in Florida while attempting an illegal U-turn. This incident resulted in three fatalities.
The DHS reassured the public, stating that its law enforcement is committed to safeguarding U.S. communities from such senseless tragedies. They also encourage victims of crimes linked to illegal immigration to reach out for assistance.
