Feds Block California’s Reissuance of Licenses to Immigrant Truck Drivers
Thousands of immigrant truck drivers in California have been left uncertain about their future. The state had planned to reissue commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) set to expire next month, only to find that federal regulators had not approved this action.
License Reissuance Blocked by Federal Regulators
Amarjit Singh, a truck owner in the Bay Area, expressed frustration over the situation. He stated, “We were happy the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) was going to reissue them, but now, it feels like we’re in the dark.” With no clarity on the status of his licenses, Singh is unsure whether to renew his insurance or look for a new job. He is one of 17,000 drivers who received 60-day cancellation notices on November 6.
Federal Audit Sparks Concerns
The federal audit in question scrutinized California’s non-domiciled CDL program. This program allows immigrants legally authorized to work in the U.S. to acquire CDLs. However, the audit revealed that the DMV had issued many licenses with expiration dates exceeding the work permits of the recipients. Consequently, federal officials halted the program until compliance measures were taken.
Hope for Reissuance
Recently, the San Francisco Chronicle acquired a letter from DMV Director Steve Gordon to the U.S. Department of Transportation, indicating that California had met federal guidelines necessary for reissuance. Despite this, federal authorities informed DMV officials that they could not proceed with the reissuance as planned.
In a response to the situation, DMV spokesperson Eva Spiegel emphasized the importance of commercial drivers to the economy. “Our supply chains don’t move and our communities don’t stay connected without them,” she noted. The DMV expressed hope that the federal government would eventually allow California to resume issuing licenses.
Impact on Immigrant Communities
Bhupinder Kaur, director of operations at UNITED SIKHS, highlighted the disproportionate effects of these cancellations on immigrant drivers, particularly among Sikh, Punjabi, and Latino communities. She noted that many truckers are under immense pressure, with some delaying personal milestones or even closing their businesses due to uncertainty. “We’re all facing the effects of this,” said Kaur, who comes from a trucking family.
Despite the setbacks, Kaur believes the Sikh trucking community remains optimistic. “The Sikh sentiment is always to remain hopeful,” she remarked. “We’re not going to accept it — we’re just gonna continue to fight.”
