Sen. Bernie Moreno Criticizes Connecticut Policy After Fatal Crash Involving Illegal Immigrant

Senator Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, is questioning the policies of Connecticut’s Democratic Governor, Ned Lamont, following a tragic incident involving an illegal immigrant. This individual, reportedly granted a driver’s license under Connecticut’s policy, was involved in a fatal car crash that resulted in the death of a 29-year-old from Ohio.

In a statement posted on X, Moreno expressed concern over Connecticut’s decision to issue over 60,000 driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. He believes this policy poses a threat to safety on roads nationwide.

While one death alone is an inexcusable tragedy, Connecticut has granted over 60,000 such licenses to illegal aliens, putting countless Americans at risk on the roads. This insanity has to stop.

The crash occurred when Washington Guillermo Naula-Ochoa, an illegal immigrant from Ecuador, allegedly did not yield at a stop sign in Ohio. His vehicle collided with one driven by Austin J. Karr Grimes, leading to Grimes’s fatal injuries.

Naula-Ochoa faces charges of vehicular manslaughter. He is held with an immigration detainer from federal authorities due to his legal status and is listed as homeless.

Moreno criticized Governor Lamont in a public letter, urging him to account for the licenses issued to illegal immigrants and evaluate their use in voting and the costs to taxpayers.

Governor Lamont, in response, emphasized the aim of the drive-only licenses to ensure drivers are tested and insured, reducing hit-and-run incidents. He highlighted the necessity for undocumented residents to drive for daily obligations under a regulated system.

Moreno advised Lamont to align with states that have stricter licensing requirements for illegal immigrants to prevent further tragedies.

Policies like Connecticut’s driver’s license program have ignited nationwide debate. The Trump administration previously prioritized scrutiny of state-issued licenses to illegal immigrants. Federal lawsuits, such as the one against New York’s Green Light Law, exemplify the conflict over states’ stances on these matters.

Mehek Cooke, an Ohio attorney, criticized Connecticut’s policy as prioritizing illegal immigrants over American citizens’ safety, highlighting the personal toll felt by grieving families in other states.