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Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration has challenged claims by the Department of Homeland Security regarding the immigration status of a semi-truck driver involved in a deadly crash in Indiana. The incident has escalated into a dispute over licensing practices and immigration enforcement between state and federal authorities.
Bekzhan Beishekeev, a 30-year-old Kyrgyzstan national, was taken into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after a collision that killed four people. DHS officials stated that Beishekeev entered the United States “illegally” through the Nogales, Arizona port of entry on December 19, 2023, using the CBP One app, and was released on parole under the Biden administration’s policies.
The controversy centers on how Beishekeev obtained a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Pennsylvania. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin directly criticized Governor Shapiro’s administration, saying, “Not only was Bekzhan Beishekeev released into our country by the Biden administration using the CBP One app, but he was also given a commercial driver’s license by Governor Shapiro’s Pennsylvania. These decisions have had deadly consequences.”
McLaughlin further called on “sanctuary” governors to stop issuing CDLs to undocumented immigrants “before another American gets killed,” escalating the political dimensions of the case.
The Shapiro administration firmly disputes this characterization. A spokesperson for the governor, Alex Peterson, stated that Beishekeev had legal status when Pennsylvania issued his license in July 2025 and remains eligible to receive one according to federal databases.
“Every person who applies for a non-domiciled commercial driver’s license issued by PennDOT must provide proof of identity and proof of their legal presence in the United States,” Peterson said. “That information is verified by the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database, administered by Kristi Noem and the United States Department of Homeland Security.”
The fatal crash occurred on February 3 at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Indiana’s State Route 67. According to investigators, Beishekeev allegedly failed to brake for a slowed semi-truck ahead of him, swerved into oncoming traffic, and collided with a van carrying 15 passengers. Four people died as a result of the crash.
The incident is being investigated by the Indiana State Police, the Jay County Sheriff’s Department, and the Jay County Coroner’s Office. Beishekeev is currently being held on an ICE detainer.
This case emerges amid growing tensions between federal authorities and several states regarding CDL issuing practices. DHS and the U.S. Department of Transportation have expressed concerns about the potential dangers posed by varying state licensing requirements, particularly following a series of fatal crashes allegedly involving undocumented immigrants.
In its statement regarding Beishekeev, DHS referenced a previous case involving Akhror Bozorov, a 31-year-old Uzbek national who was arrested in Kansas while working as a commercial truck driver with a Pennsylvania-issued CDL. According to DHS, Bozorov was wanted in Uzbekistan for alleged ties to a terrorist organization and had received work authorization in January 2024 under the Biden administration.
The dispute highlights broader tensions in U.S. immigration policy, particularly regarding the balance between federal immigration enforcement and state licensing procedures. Pennsylvania, like several other states, has established protocols for issuing drivers’ licenses that include verification through federal databases, but interpretations of legal status and eligibility requirements can differ between state and federal authorities.
The CBP One app, mentioned in Beishekeev’s case, has been a controversial tool in the Biden administration’s border management strategy, allowing migrants to schedule appointments at ports of entry but drawing criticism from both immigration advocates and restrictionists.
As investigations continue into the fatal crash in Indiana, the case underscores the complex intersection of immigration policy, transportation safety, and federal-state relations that continues to challenge policymakers across the country.
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16 Comments
As someone who closely follows mining and energy issues, I’m curious to see how this plays out. The implications around commercial licensing and immigration enforcement could have wider impacts on these industries.
That’s a good point. The interplay between state and federal policies in areas like transportation and labor is an important consideration, especially for industries like mining that rely on a mobile, cross-border workforce.
This is a complex issue involving immigration, commercial licensing, and tragic loss of life. Both state and federal authorities seem to have questions to answer about their policies and procedures. It’s important to get the facts straight before drawing any conclusions.
Agreed, we need a thorough investigation to understand what exactly happened and who bears responsibility. Rushing to assign blame rarely leads to constructive solutions.
As someone with an interest in the mining and energy sectors, I’ll be following this story closely. The implications for commercial transportation, immigration policy, and state-federal relations could be significant.
Absolutely, this has the potential to impact multiple industries and areas of policy. A balanced, evidence-based approach is crucial to ensure the right lessons are learned and appropriate actions are taken.
Tragic incident, and my heart goes out to the victims and their families. I hope the investigation can uncover the full truth and lead to meaningful changes to improve safety and accountability.
Well said. The priority should be on preventing such accidents, not political finger-pointing. A constructive, fact-based approach is needed here.
This story highlights the complex interplay between immigration, commercial licensing, and transportation safety. I’ll be interested to see how state and federal authorities resolve their differences and implement any necessary reforms.
Agreed, the implications of this case could extend beyond just this specific incident. Careful analysis and collaborative solutions will be key to addressing the underlying issues.
This is certainly a tragic incident, and my condolences go out to the victims and their families. I hope the investigation can uncover the full facts and lead to meaningful changes to prevent such accidents in the future.
Agreed, the priority should be on improving safety and accountability, not political point-scoring. A constructive, fact-based approach is needed here.
From what I understand, the immigration status of the truck driver is still unclear. I’m curious to see what additional information comes to light as the investigation progresses.
Yes, it’s important not to jump to conclusions before all the facts are known. Proper procedures need to be followed to determine the driver’s legal status and how he obtained his commercial license.
As a follower of mining and energy news, I’m curious to see how this situation unfolds and what it might mean for those industries. Commercial transportation is a critical component, so the policies and procedures around licensing and immigration will be important to monitor.
Good point. The mining and energy sectors rely heavily on a mobile workforce, so any changes to commercial licensing or immigration enforcement could have significant impacts. A balanced, evidence-based approach is essential.