Senator Bernie Moreno from Ohio is demanding answers from Connecticut’s Governor Ned Lamont after an Ohio man was killed in a car crash involving an illegal immigrant. Moreno alleges that the immigrant had been issued a driver’s license due to Connecticut’s policies.
Moreno shared his concerns on social media, stating that an illegal immigrant who received a driver’s license from Connecticut was responsible for causing a fatal accident. He raised issues about the state granting over 60,000 licenses to illegal immigrants, emphasizing the risk it poses to American citizens on the road. Moreno urged Governor Lamont to apologize and provide transparency regarding the extent of licenses issued to illegal immigrants and if these licenses have been used for voting purposes.
The incident involved Washington Guillermo Naula-Ochoa, a 34-year-old Ecuadorean national, who was driving in Ohio when he failed to yield at a stop sign, resulting in a collision. The crash led to the death of 29-year-old Austin J. Karr Grimes from Ohio. Naula-Ochoa now faces charges of vehicular manslaughter and failing to yield, with an immigration detainer placed on him.
“The safest way to arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens from our streets is by lodging arrest detainers,” a DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
Moreno has also sent a letter to Governor Lamont, connecting him to the policy that enables illegal immigrants to acquire driver’s licenses in Connecticut. Moreno criticizes the policy, stating that it allows individuals without legal status to obtain driving privileges, which he believes endangers American lives.
He emphasized his concern for the safety of his constituents and criticized Lamont’s proposal to alter the licenses’ markings, suggesting it could complicate their identification. Moreno called for detailed information on how many licenses have been issued, the crime rate among recipients, voter registration, and the program’s financial impact on taxpayers.
Governor Lamont issued a statement expressing condolences to the victim’s family and defended the policy for drive-only licenses, asserting it promotes road safety by ensuring drivers are trained and insured.
“States including Connecticut offer drive-only licenses to undocumented residents to help ensure all drivers are trained, tested, and know the rules of the road,” Lamont said.
Moreno remains firm on his stance, arguing for deportation as a more effective solution than granting driving privileges to illegal immigrants. The debate reflects broader conflicts between federal and state policies on immigration and road safety.