Thomas blasts SCOTUS for decision on Florida lawsuit over illegal immigrant truckers with blue-state licenses

By Fox News · Fox News

Justice Clarence Thomas accused California and Washington of undermining federal immigration and trucking safety standards after a deadly Florida highway crash, blasting the Supreme Court on Tuesday for refusing to hear a case Florida had "nowhere else to bring." Florida alleged the two blue states improperly issued commercial driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants in violation of federal standards requiring English proficiency and lawful immigration status for certain commercial drivers, arguing the policies created a public safety threat on American roads. Thomas, joined by Justice Samuel Alito, said the Supreme Court had a constitutional obligation to hear the dispute because lawsuits between states can only be brought before the high court. "If this Court does not exercise jurisdiction over a controversy between two States, then the complaining State has no judicial forum in which to seek relief," Thomas wrote. FLORIDA AG ANNOUNCES PROBE OF SANCTUARY JURISDICTIONS THAT GIVE TRUCKING LICENSES TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS Thomas argued that Florida’s allegations against Washington and California were serious because failing to follow federal commercial licensing laws can create dangerous road conditions and, he said, has contributed to deadly crashes. Thomas pointed to the fatal Florida highway crash involving truck driver Harjinder Singh, who he said "could not read the road signs," and argued Florida deserved a chance to pursue its claims. Singh received CDLs from both California and Washington . EXCLUSIVE: CAMERAS CAPTURE TRUCKERS UNABLE TO READ ROAD SIGNS, ANSWER BASIC QUESTIONS DURING FLORIDA CRACKDOWN "An illegal alien who cannot read English road signs cannot drive an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer," Thomas wrote. " Federal law and regulations prohibit States from providing commercial driver’s licenses to applicants unless they pass a driver’s test, sufficiently understand the English language, and show appropriate immigration status." Florida filed the lawsuit di…