Deadly Crash Raises Concerns About Immigration and Driver Licenses
Indianapolis, IN – A tragic accident in Indiana has ignited a debate about immigration policies and the process for obtaining commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). A semi-truck driver, Bekzhan Beishekeev, a citizen of Kyrgyzstan, was involved in a crash that resulted in the deaths of four people.
Federal officials say Beishekeev entered the United States illegally, using a mobile app called CBP One and was allowed into the country under the Biden administration’s policies. He later obtained a CDL in Pennsylvania.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticized these actions, saying the combination of the Biden administration’s border policies and Pennsylvania’s licensing practices had “deadly consequences.” A DHS spokesperson called on leaders in states with lenient immigration policies to stop giving CDLs to those who are in the country illegally, warning of further tragedies.
In response, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s team claimed that Beishekeev had legal status when he received his CDL. They added that the federal database used to verify applicants’ legal status still showed him as eligible for a license.
The deadly crash occurred when Beishekeev allegedly failed to slow down for traffic, swerved into oncoming lanes, and collided with a van carrying 15 passengers.
This incident follows a previous case where another individual, Akhror Bozorov, an Uzbek national, was arrested while working as a truck driver with a Pennsylvania CDL. DHS stated Bozorov was wanted in his home country for alleged ties to a terrorist group and was granted work authorization under the Biden administration.
These cases have prompted increased scrutiny of how states issue CDLs and the potential risks to public safety. The DHS and the Department of Transportation have warned about the possible dangers of current CDL issuing practices.
