Justice Clarence Thomas Criticizes Supreme Court’s Decision on State Dispute

Justice Clarence Thomas has criticized California and Washington for allegedly undermining federal immigration and trucking safety standards. This follows a fatal highway crash in Florida. He criticized the Supreme Court for not addressing a case Florida claimed was crucial.

Florida argued that the two states improperly issued commercial driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, violating federal laws requiring English proficiency and legal immigration status. Their policies, Florida said, pose a safety risk on American roads.

Thomas, supported by Justice Samuel Alito, stressed that the Supreme Court should handle this dispute. Lawsuits between states should be addressed solely by the high court. “If this Court does not exercise jurisdiction over a controversy between two States, then the complaining State has no judicial forum in which to seek relief,” Thomas asserted.

Florida’s Attorney General has announced a probe into sanctuary jurisdictions providing trucking licenses to illegal immigrants. Florida highlighted a crash involving truck driver Harjinder Singh, who allegedly couldn’t read road signs. Singh held commercial driver’s licenses from California and Washington.

Thomas argued that an illegal immigrant unable to read English signs should not operate a large truck. “Federal law prohibits States from issuing commercial driver’s licenses to applicants unless they pass a driver’s test, have adequate English skills, and demonstrate appropriate immigration status.” Florida filed the lawsuit directly with the Supreme Court under its original jurisdiction. This jurisdiction allows the justices to solely handle disputes between states.

Thomas noted that while the court can exercise discretion in other appeals, state lawsuits are different. The Constitution gives exclusive jurisdiction to the Supreme Court for these cases. Thomas accused the court of not following the Constitution when it refuses such cases.

The Court has adopted a discretionary approach to its exclusive original jurisdiction based on policy judgments conflicting with Congress’s policy choices in the statutory text, Thomas wrote.

If disputes like this occurred between separate countries instead of U.S. states, it would likely lead to serious diplomatic tension and be resolved in international courts or through other government measures. “By entering the Union, States agree to instead have such disputes resolved by this Court,” Thomas concluded.

Elaine Mallon is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business covering national politics.