Authorities report that an illegal immigrant truck driver, Manveer Singh, has been charged with vehicular manslaughter following a deadly semi-truck crash in Lodi, California. Singh remained in the U.S. despite being ordered to leave. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Singh’s capture and release at the Arizona border in 2023.
In response, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and other federal officials have proposed ‘Delilah’s Law,’ aiming to prevent commercial driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants.
In another tragic incident, Michael E. Pahira Jr., a Pennsylvania State Police trooper, lost his life during a commercial vehicle inspection. On Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County, a semi-truck veered off the road, struck his patrol vehicle, and fatally injured him. Both vehicles caught fire, leading to Pahira’s death at a local hospital.
The driver in this incident, Michael Bon, a Haitian national residing in Massachusetts, faces criminal charges including homicide by vehicle and reckless driving. Authorities have detained him on a $700,000 bail and DHS has lodged an immigration detainer against him.
Bon’s entry into the U.S. occurred through the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in 2024, under a humanitarian parole program. Despite his application for Temporary Protected Status being rejected, and a subsequent order to leave the country in 2025, he remained in the U.S.
Bon obtained a non-domiciled commercial driver’s license in Massachusetts while he was federally authorized to work. His license renewal in 2026 coincided with federal instructions to stop issuing such licenses to ineligible drivers.
These incidents coincide with increased scrutiny on commercial driver licensing rules. Sean Duffy is prioritizing reforms following multiple fatal crashes involving non-domiciled CDL holders. Recent records show 17 fatal crashes in 2025 involved illegal immigrants driving commercial vehicles, killing 30 people.
The Department of Transportation has threatened to withhold federal funds from states failing to comply with the CDL regulations. In April, over $73 million was withheld from New York for not revoking licenses of ineligible drivers.
A Transportation Department spokesperson highlighted the focus on restoring integrity in the trucking industry, ensuring only qualified and vetted drivers operate commercial trucks.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro paid tribute to Michael Pahira, lauding his dedication as a trooper. Pahira recently moved back home to support his mother during cancer treatment, exemplifying his commitment to family and service.
This situation underscores the ongoing need for reinforced regulations and vigilant enforcement to ensure safety on America’s roads.