New X-ray tech coming to Florida agricultural stations to help combat illegal immigration, drugs

LIVE OAK, Fla. – Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced new X-ray technology on Monday that will scan semitrucks entering Florida.

Simpson said Florida will use the technology to crack down on illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The machines will be installed at all 23 agricultural stations, with a new location to be added near the Alabama state line on U.S. 231.

“If you come through these interstations and you’re an illegal or breaking the law, you will be handed over to our local or federal partners,” Simpson said. “If you are driving a commercial vehicle and you are not proficient in English, we will comply with the president’s executive order.”

Simpson’s comments come amid ongoing scrutiny of immigration policies and enforcement at state and federal levels.

Meanwhile, the Florida attorney general’s office has requested the U.S. Department of Transportation to investigate and potentially revoke commercial driver’s license (CDL) programs in California and Washington if systematic abuse is found.

The attorney general’s office is concerned about the integrity of CDL programs and their potential misuse related to immigration enforcement.

This comes on the heels of a semitruck driver accused of making an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike and causing a crash that killed three people.

Florida troopers, with the assistance of ICE, said that the driver, Harjinder Singh entered the U.S. illegally after crossing the Mexico border in 2018. He then obtained a commercial driver’s license in California.

Singh was arrested in California, where he appeared in court last week.