BREAKING: A group of immigrant truck and commercial vehicle drivers has just filed a lawsuit against California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), alleging a violation of workers’ rights amid plans to revoke thousands of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). This urgent legal action comes as the DMV prepares to enforce a controversial policy requiring proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency for over 20,000 immigrant drivers beginning in early 2026.
The DMV’s notification to drivers and business owners, sent out in November 2023, indicated that unless compliance with “new federal guidelines” was achieved, thousands of licenses would be canceled. As of December 10, the DMV began reversing its stance on issuing new licenses, ultimately halting all issuance. The plaintiffs, represented by the Sikh Coalition and the Asian Law Caucus, argue that this sudden change was driven by pressure from the federal government and has placed their livelihoods in jeopardy.
According to the lawsuit, filed on behalf of approximately 20,000 immigrant drivers, the DMV’s mishandling has led to severe financial and emotional distress for many families. “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. Many of these drivers are the primary supporters of their families, and losing their licenses could lead to devastating consequences.
The backdrop to this lawsuit includes a recent crackdown initiated by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who criticized California for not adhering to English-language requirements for truck drivers, threatening to withdraw $40 million in federal funding. This scrutiny follows a tragic accident involving Harjinder Singh, an illegal immigrant truck driver whose actions led to the deaths of three people in Florida. Singh had obtained his CDL in California despite failing an English Language Proficiency assessment, raising alarms over the DMV’s licensing practices.
In November, the California DMV acknowledged that it had unlawfully issued 17,000 non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses to migrant drivers. This number has now ballooned to over 20,000, according to reports from ABC News. The plaintiffs are now seeking an immediate pause from the Alameda County Superior Court on license cancellations to prevent further harm.
As this story develops, it remains crucial for affected drivers and their families to stay informed about their rights and potential legal recourse. The implications of this lawsuit are significant, not only for those directly impacted but also for the broader community and economy relying on these essential workers.
Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding situation as it impacts the lives of thousands of immigrant drivers across California.
