Pennsylvania Governor Challenges DHS Claims on Immigration Status of Truck Driver in Fatal Indiana Crash
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has publicly contested assertions made by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the immigration status of Bekzhan Beishekeev, a Kyrgyzstan national and commercial truck driver involved in a tragic crash in Indiana that claimed four lives. The incident has sparked a heated debate over immigration policies and commercial driver licensing in the United States.
DHS officials stated that Beishekeev entered the United States on December 19, 2023, through the Nogales, Arizona, port of entry, utilizing the CBP One app—a digital platform designed to facilitate lawful entry under parole provisions. According to the department, Beishekeev was subsequently released into the country under parole by the Biden administration and later obtained a commercial driver’s license (CDL) issued by Pennsylvania authorities. Following the fatal crash, Beishekeev was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after a detainer was placed on him.
Governor Shapiro’s office has pushed back against DHS’s characterization, emphasizing that Beishekeev’s information was recorded in official databases confirming his legal status at the time he was licensed. The governor’s team argues that the driver’s lawful presence and licensing were in accordance with state and federal regulations, underscoring the complexity of immigration enforcement and commercial licensing procedures.
The crash in Indiana has drawn national attention, with DHS and federal transportation officials highlighting concerns about the issuance of CDLs to individuals who may have uncertain immigration statuses. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently announced the revocation of $160 million in federal funding from California after the state failed to revoke nearly 20,000 CDLs issued to migrants, reflecting increased federal scrutiny over state licensing practices.
Data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirms that the CBP One app was employed to process Beishekeev’s entry, a system introduced during the Biden administration to streamline and manage lawful entries at certain ports. The app has been a subject of controversy, with critics arguing it has facilitated parole releases without sufficient vetting.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation maintains that its CDL issuance process complies with federal guidelines and that Beishekeev met all necessary requirements to obtain his commercial license. The department has not commented further on the ongoing investigation.
The incident has ignited discussions on Capitol Hill and among immigration policy experts about balancing public safety with immigration enforcement. Lawmakers from both parties have called for a thorough review of how immigration status is verified during the CDL application process.
As the investigation continues, the Department of Homeland Security has pledged to cooperate with state and local authorities to determine the full circumstances surrounding the crash and the driver’s background. The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing immigration laws while ensuring public safety.
The tragic loss of life in Indiana has underscored the challenges faced by federal and state agencies in coordinating immigration enforcement and transportation safety regulations. With tensions running high, officials on all sides are navigating a complex landscape shaped by evolving policies and public scrutiny.
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