UPDATE: A group of immigrant truck and commercial vehicle drivers has filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), claiming the agency is unlawfully planning to revoke thousands of licenses. The lawsuit, announced earlier today, argues that the DMV’s decision to cancel over 20,000 commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) violates workers’ rights and threatens the livelihoods of many drivers.
The DMV notified drivers and business owners in November 2023 of its intention to revoke licenses beginning in early 2026, citing compliance with “new federal guidelines” requiring proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful residency. However, the DMV has since halted issuing new licenses, raising concerns among the affected drivers. The lawsuit, representing around 20,000 immigrant drivers, claims that administrative errors by the DMV have put these individuals at risk of losing their jobs.
“Plaintiffs have bought homes, cars, and trucks, relying on their ability to continue working a well-paying job that requires a CDL,” the lawsuit states. “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.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been vocal about California’s failure to meet federal English-language requirements for truck drivers, threatening to withdraw $40 million in federal funding. This crackdown follows a tragic incident involving a truck driver, Harjinder Singh, who was charged with vehicular homicide after a fatal accident. Singh, who had previously failed an English Language Proficiency assessment, illegally obtained his CDL in California despite being an undocumented immigrant.
In response to the rising tensions, the DMV admitted in November that it had unlawfully issued 17,000 non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses to immigrant drivers—a number that has now escalated to over 20,000 according to reports by ABC News.
The lawsuit is being supported by the Sikh Coalition and the Asian Law Caucus, who are requesting the Alameda County Superior Court to pause the impending license cancellations. Their appeal highlights the urgent need to protect the rights and livelihoods of these drivers who contribute significantly to the economy.
As developments unfold, the community is urged to stay informed about the implications of this lawsuit and its potential impact on thousands of families across California. The outcome could have far-reaching consequences for immigrant workers and the trucking industry as a whole.
