UPDATE: A group of immigrant truck and commercial vehicle drivers has just filed a lawsuit against California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), claiming that plans to revoke thousands of licenses violate their rights. This urgent legal action comes after the DMV announced it would revoke licenses starting in early 2026 unless drivers provided proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful residency.
According to reports from the San Francisco Chronicle, the DMV had notified affected drivers and business owners in November 2023. The lawsuit, representing approximately 20,000 immigrant drivers and their families, argues that the DMV’s actions are driven by federal pressure, putting the livelihoods of thousands at immediate risk.
The plaintiffs assert that administrative errors by the DMV have jeopardized their ability to work and provide for their families, stating, “Many drivers are the main or even sole providers for their families. The DMV’s actions will result in the loss of their hard-earned careers and impose severe financial and emotional hardships.”
This legal challenge comes on the heels of mounting scrutiny from federal officials. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has criticized California for ignoring federal English-language requirements for truck drivers, threatening to withhold $40 million in federal funds. The crackdown was prompted by a tragic accident involving a truck driver, Harjinder Singh, who, while unlawfully in the U.S., obtained a commercial driver’s license in California and was later charged with vehicular homicide.
Singh, who failed an English Language Proficiency assessment, was involved in a fatal incident that resulted in the deaths of three people in Florida. Following this, the DMV admitted to unlawfully issuing over 17,000 non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses, a number that has since grown to more than 20,000 drivers, as reported by ABC News.
The affected drivers are being represented by civil rights organizations, including the Sikh Coalition and the Asian Law Caucus, who have filed an urgent request with the Alameda County Superior Court to halt the license cancellations.
This lawsuit highlights the human impact of regulatory changes, putting the focus on the emotional and financial struggles faced by immigrant families. Many drivers have invested in homes, vehicles, and their businesses, all dependent on their ability to maintain a valid commercial driver’s license.
As this situation develops, it raises critical questions about workers’ rights and the implications of federal regulations on immigrant communities in California. What happens next could redefine the livelihoods of thousands of truck drivers and their families across the state.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds and the legal proceedings progress.
