Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has accused California Governor Gavin Newsom of dishonesty regarding the state’s compliance with federal regulations concerning foreign trucker licenses. Duffy’s statement comes as California faces the potential loss of nearly $160 million in federal funds if it fails to revoke licenses deemed unlawfully issued by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by a deadline of January 5, 2024.
In a recent lawsuit filed by a group of immigrant truckers against the DMV, the plaintiffs argue that the agency’s planned revocation of thousands of licenses violates workers’ rights. The DMV had previously acknowledged that it illegally issued approximately 17,000 non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to migrant drivers. In response to these legal challenges, the DMV extended the revocation deadline to March 6, 2024.
Duffy criticized the extension on social media, asserting that Newsom was misleading the public. He stated, “Gavin Newsom is lying. The deadline to revoke illegally issued, unvetted foreign trucker licenses is still January 5. California does NOT have an ‘extension’ to keep breaking the law and putting Americans at risk on the roads.” He further warned that failure to meet the deadline would lead to actions from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), including the potential loss of federal funding.
Newsom’s office did not respond to requests for comment regarding Duffy’s accusations. The lawsuit, representing approximately 20,000 immigrant drivers and business owners in California, claims that DMV administrative errors jeopardize their livelihoods by threatening the validity of their commercial licenses.
In November, Duffy revealed the DMV’s admission about the unlawful issuance of CDLs and stated that the USDOT would rigorously monitor California’s compliance. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that only eligible individuals operate commercial vehicles, particularly in light of a tragic incident involving an illegal immigrant truck driver that resulted in fatalities.
The DMV issued a statement indicating that the extension would provide time for stakeholders to find a resolution that allows affected drivers to continue working. Steve Gordon, Director of the California DMV, highlighted the role of commercial drivers in maintaining economic stability, stating, “Our supply chains don’t move, and our communities don’t stay connected without them.”
The DMV is now expected to communicate with impacted drivers regarding the extension, although it has not responded to inquiries about further details. This situation follows previous warnings from Duffy regarding California’s compliance with federal English-language requirements for truck drivers, which could also affect federal funding.
The ongoing legal and administrative developments surrounding the DMV’s licensing practices raise significant implications for both the trucking industry and the livelihoods of many drivers in California.
