BREAKING: A group of immigrant truckers has launched a lawsuit against California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), alleging the agency is infringing on workers’ rights by planning to revoke thousands of commercial driver’s licenses (CDL). The lawsuit comes after the DMV announced plans to rescind licenses beginning in early 2026, demanding proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful residency from approximately 20,000 affected immigrant drivers.
The DMV’s controversial decision was first communicated to drivers and business owners in November 2023. However, the agency has since halted the issuance of new licenses entirely, raising alarms among drivers who depend on their CDLs for stable employment. Plaintiffs argue that these actions are the result of pressure from the federal government.
According to the lawsuit, filed by the Sikh Coalition and the Asian Law Caucus, the DMV’s administrative errors have jeopardized the livelihoods of thousands. Many of these drivers are primary providers for their families and have invested in homes and vehicles based on their ability to work, which is now at risk. “The DMV’s actions will result in the loss of their hard-earned careers and impose severe financial and emotional hardships,” the lawsuit claims.
The legal battle comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny from federal officials. In October, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized California for failing to adhere to federal English-language requirements for truck drivers, threatening to withhold $40 million in federal funds. This crackdown was prompted by a tragic incident involving Harjinder Singh, an illegal immigrant truck driver charged with vehicular homicide after a fatal crash in Florida. Singh had fraudulently obtained his CDL in California despite failing to meet crucial language proficiency assessments.
In November, it was revealed that the DMV had unlawfully issued 17,000 non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses to migrant drivers, a figure that has now surged to over 20,000, according to reports from ABC News. The lawsuit, now filed in Alameda County Superior Court, seeks an immediate pause on the planned license cancellations.
As this situation evolves, the implications extend beyond legal disputes; thousands of immigrant truckers face the looming threat of unemployment and financial instability. The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for the rights of immigrant workers across the state.
Stay tuned for further updates as this urgent legal battle unfolds. This situation not only impacts the livelihoods of drivers but could also reshape the landscape of commercial trucking in California.
