Immigration Judge to Decide Trucker's Release After Fifth Amendment Violation

Key Details Truck driver Jagdish Singh from India has been in ICE custody since February 11 after a traffic stop in Iowa led to his arrest by immigration authorities. A federal judge ruled April 20 that the government violated Singh's Fifth Amendment due process rights when arresting him, though stopped short of ordering immediate release. An immigration judge will now decide whether Singh should be freed from federal custody. What Happened Singh was pulled over for allegedly bypassing an open weigh station on Interstate 80. Iowa Department of Transportation inspectors cited him for multiple violations including improper license plate display and operating without proof of periodic inspection. ICE officers at the scene conducted an immigration check, issued an arrest warrant, and took Singh into custody on the spot. Why It Matters U.S. District Judge Stephen Locher found the government acted unconstitutionally by changing its enforcement approach. Singh had been legally living and working in the U.S. since 2021 when he received work authorization, with his asylum application still pending. The judge criticized the government for "whipsawing" the driver after years of allowing him to work legally in the community. This case highlights concerns about inconsistent immigration enforcement during routine traffic stops affecting working drivers.