In a dramatic political confrontation that’s shaking America’s trucking industry, California announced it would revoke the licenses of 17,000 commercial drivers who are immigrants.
The decision follows a federal audit that uncovered licenses issued to drivers whose work permits had already expired—igniting fierce accusations of violations and safety failures, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy declaring, “Caught red-handed.”
The Trigger—A Deadly Florida Crash
The crisis exploded into public consciousness in August when Harjinder Singh, a commercial truck driver without legal authorization to remain in the United States, allegedly made an illegal U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike.
The crash killed three innocent people and sparked immediate federal scrutiny into how California granted licenses to such drivers.
The Legal Problem at the Heart
California law explicitly requires commercial driver’s licenses to expire on or before the same date as the driver’s legal status documents.
An audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration revealed that more than one in four California non-domiciled CDL records violated this requirement, with licenses extending beyond the drivers’ work permits.
How Many Failed the System?
Around 17,000 immigrant truck drivers received notifications in early November that their commercial licenses would be revoked within 60 days.
This massive revocation represents approximately one-quarter of California’s non-domiciled commercial driver’s license program—a program designed to provide licenses to immigrants regardless of legal status.
Federal Accusations and State Defense
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy attacked California Governor Gavin Newsom, claiming the state “admitted to illegally issuing” licenses to dangerous foreign drivers.
However, Newsom’s office countered that all revoked drivers held valid federal work authorizations and claimed Duffy was spreading “easily disproven falsehoods.”
The Accused Driver’s Troubling Record
Harjinder Singh, the driver at the center of the controversy, failed his commercial driver’s license knowledge exam ten times within a two-month period and failed his air brakes exam twice.
He also failed an English proficiency test—raising serious questions about how he obtained his commercial license.
The Court Steps In
A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., intervened, blocking the Department of Transportation’s restrictions on immigrant commercial driver’s licenses.
The court ruled the federal government didn’t follow proper procedure and failed to explain how the restrictions would enhance safety, halting the revocations temporarily.
Trump Administration’s Broader Push
The Department of Transportation announced that it would withhold $40 million in federal funding from California unless the state enforced stricter English language requirements for truck drivers.
Officials threatened an additional $160 million in penalties if the state failed to prove it removed all immigrant drivers.
Impact on the Trucking Industry
The potential loss of 17,000 drivers threatens to severely disrupt California’s supply chain and distribution network.
Immigrant truckers represent a critical component of the workforce, and their absence could lead to significant delays in goods transportation and increased shipping costs across the state.
Small Business Owners Caught in the Middle
Parmander Dayal, owner of a truck wash near Yuba City, warned he’s already seeing customers lose their licenses. “There are a lot of guys that will probably lose their licenses,” he said, predicting a “huge impact” on the local trucking economy.
Community Leaders Defend the Drivers
Raman Dhillon, CEO of the North American Punjabi Trucking Association, argued the blame shouldn’t fall on drivers. “Schools are training people wrongfully. With one click, you take away licenses from all these people, and disrupting the whole thing is not a wise decision,” he said.
The Systemic Failures Behind the Crisis
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s audit uncovered “systemic policy, procedural, and programming errors” in California’s non-domiciled CDL program.
These failures weren’t isolated mistakes—they represented widespread administrative breakdowns allowing improper licenses to enter the system.
The AB 60 Program Explained
California’s AB 60 driver’s licenses allow immigrants without legal status to obtain licenses after passing knowledge and driving exams.
Designed to promote safe and legal driving, the program operates in 19 states, plus Washington, D.C.; however, California’s implementation appears to have had critical flaws.
The Political Battle Escalates
Transportation Secretary Duffy’s aggressive rhetoric—describing revoked drivers as “dangerous foreign drivers” and suggesting thousands more illegals drive trucks—transformed this administrative issue into a high-stakes political battle between the Trump administration and California’s Democratic leadership.
The Economic Fallout Begins
Before the court’s stay halted enforcement, drivers reported widespread panic about job loss, truck payments, and family finances. Supply chain experts warned the revocations could disrupt logistics networks across multiple industries, potentially affecting everything from retail to healthcare.
Questions About the Audit’s Scope
While federal officials cite the audit as exposing California’s illegal practices, the agency initially failed to explain whether the systemic errors represented genuine safety risks or administrative technicalities. Critics questioned whether federal overreach was obscuring the real issues.
Immigrant Drivers’ Dilemma
Many revoked drivers invested heavily in their careers—purchasing trucks, houses, and equipment. They now face financial ruin through no apparent fault of their own, since they legally obtained licenses through established state procedures and received federal work authorizations.
The Broader Non-Domiciled Program Under Scrutiny
California isn’t alone—six other states, including Texas, also face federal scrutiny for non-domiciled CDL programs.
The nationwide audit revealed systematic weaknesses across multiple state transportation agencies, suggesting this problem extends far beyond California’s borders.
The Court Challenge Ahead
The D.C. Circuit’s temporary stay leaves the future of the revocation uncertain as courts examine whether federal officials followed proper procedures. Legal experts anticipate prolonged litigation, which could potentially impact thousands of drivers and disrupt the trucking industry for months.
The Unresolved Crisis
As legal battles continue, California faces an impossible choice: enforce revocations that cripple the trucking industry or defy federal officials threatening massive funding cuts. The 17,000 immigrant drivers caught between the federal and state governments remain in a precarious limbo.