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An Oregon crash involving a truck driver who is an undocumented immigrant has reignited debate over immigration policies linked to Governor Gavin Newsom and President Joe Biden. This reaction follows federal agents re-arresting a suspect just weeks after his release by local authorities.
On Wednesday, April 22, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that Rajinder Kumar, aged 32, was taken into custody.
Kumar is currently detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center located in Tacoma, with deportation proceedings underway.
Kumar’s arrest occurred mere days after his April 2, 2026, release, a decision made by Oregon officials who chose not to comply with ICE, even though he had been involved in a deadly accident months prior.
The crash, which happened on November 24, 2025, involved Kumar’s semi-truck jackknifing and blocking both lanes on US Highway 20 in Deschutes County, Oregon.
This resulted in a Subaru Outback colliding with the obstructed road, tragically killing the driver, 25-year-old William Micah Carter, and his passenger, 24-year-old Jennifer Lynn Lower.
The couple had been married just 16 days.
Federal officials say Kumar entered the US illegally near Lukeville, Arizona, on Nov. 28, 2022, and was released into the country under the Biden administration.
He later received work authorization and obtained a commercial driverâs license in California under Newsomâs administration.
âThis illegal alien was issued a CDL by Gavin Newsomâs California. He then went on to recklessly drive a truck on Americaâs highways and KILL two honeymooners,” Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. “Instead of cooperating with ICE law enforcement, Oregon sanctuary politicians RELEASED him from jail back into American communities. Every time sanctuary politicians release a dangerous criminal illegal alien back into our communities, they are gambling with American lives. We are grateful to our ICE law enforcement officers who tracked this killer down to ensure heâs permanently removed from Americaâs highways and can never harm another American family again.â
The case is now being highlighted by DHS as an example of how federal and state-level immigration policies intersect, allowing Kumar to remain in the US and return to the streets after the fatal crash.
Authorities say victims of crimes involving undocumented immigrants can seek support through the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office at 1-855-488-6423.
