BREAKING: A coalition of immigrant truck drivers has launched a lawsuit against California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), demanding immediate action to halt the planned revocation of thousands of commercial licenses. The suit, filed on November 28, 2023, asserts that the DMV is unlawfully targeting approximately 20,000 immigrant drivers who may lose their livelihoods due to new federal guidelines requiring proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful residency.
The DMV announced in November that it would begin revoking commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) starting in early 2026, prompting outrage among affected drivers and advocates. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the DMV’s decision followed increased pressure from the federal government, specifically after a tragic accident involving an illegal immigrant truck driver, Harjinder Singh, who was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide.
“The DMV’s actions will result in the loss of their hard-earned careers and impose severe financial and emotional hardships on the drivers and their families,” the lawsuit claims, underscoring the devastating impact on families who depend on these jobs. Many of these drivers have invested in homes and vehicles, relying on their ability to work in well-paying trucking positions.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has criticized California for failing to adhere to federal English-language requirements for truck drivers, threatening to withdraw $40 million in federal funding. Following the revelation that the DMV had issued 17,000 non-domiciled commercial licenses, the number of affected licenses has now escalated beyond 20,000, according to reports by ABC News.
The Sikh Coalition and the Asian Law Caucus are representing the affected drivers in Alameda County Superior Court, where they are seeking to pause the license cancellations. This legal battle highlights the urgent need for clarity and fairness in the licensing process for immigrant drivers, who play a critical role in the state’s economy.
As this story unfolds, the implications of the DMV’s actions could resonate far beyond California, affecting immigrant labor rights and transportation policies nationwide. Stay tuned for updates as this urgent situation develops.
