Commercial-driver safety has become part of a growing national debate following fatal crashes that raised questions about licensing, driver training and English-language proficiency requirements. Federal officials have responded with increased scrutiny of immigrant commercial drivers and state licensing practices. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently posted  an AI-generated image depicting a bearded South Asian man identified as “Mr. Singh” facing a character resembling Optimus Prime with a DHS insignia. The image included the message “Get off our roads; you don’t know how to drive Mr. Singh.” The post drew criticism from Sikh and Indian American organizations that said it unfairly associated an entire community with dangerous driving and immigration violations. DHS later removed the post. State Rep. Mark Tisdel released the following statement:

“The DHS post was wrong. The Sikh community has an extraordinary record of success, entrepreneurship, service and contribution in this country. These are our neighbors, business owners, professionals, workers and community leaders. To single them out and suggest that an entire community should somehow be viewed with suspicion is not only offensive, it is the epitome of ignorance and a waste of government time and resources.

“There are legitimate safety standards that apply to commercial drivers, and those standards should be enforced fairly and consistently for everyone. But a broader challenge should never be reduced to a stereotype about one community. If there are gaps in language proficiency, literacy, education or training, then we should address those problems directly and help people meet the standard.

“Government should be solving problems, not creating scapegoats.”