Father of Disabled Girl Testifies Against Sanctuary Policies at House Hearing

Marcus Coleman, the father of a 7-year-old girl left permanently disabled after a crash involving an undocumented immigrant, delivered emotional and pointed testimony before a House Judiciary subcommittee on Tuesday, rejecting sympathy from Democratic lawmakers and holding them responsible for sanctuary policies he argues endanger communities. The hearing, titled "Sanctuary Policies, Tragic Consequences," examined how such policies in states like California, Colorado, and Maryland limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Coleman's daughter, Dalilah, was critically injured in a multi-vehicle collision in Southern California in June 2024. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the crash was caused by Partap Singh, an undocumented immigrant from India who was driving an 18-wheel tractor-trailer at an unsafe speed and failed to stop for traffic in a construction zone. Dalilah suffered a fractured skull, a broken femur, and a traumatic brain injury. She was subsequently diagnosed with diplegic cerebral palsy and a global developmental delay, requiring lifelong therapy and leaving her nonverbal and relearning how to walk.