Immigrant truck drivers in California are fighting back against recent actions by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that threaten to revoke their commercial licenses. The DMV announced last month that 17,000 truckers would lose their licenses due to having expired documentation that conflicted with their legal status, a figure that has since risen to 21,000. The department's decision comes in response to federal pressures aimed at cracking down on state licensing practices for immigrants. Legal representatives from the Sikh Coalition and the Asian Law Caucus have initiated a class-action lawsuit alleging that the state's actions violate due process rights and threaten the financial security of these drivers, many of whom have built their lives around their careers in trucking. They have requested that the Alameda County Superior Court intervene to suspend the revocation of licenses while this lawsuit proceeds. The DMV has stated that they do not comment on ongoing litigation. Concerns over immigrant truck drivers drew heightened attention earlier this year when incidents involving unauthorized drivers led to tragic accidents, raising public safety concerns and sparking further debate on immigration policies.
California Immigrant Truckers Sue DMV Over License Revocation
A group of immigrant truck drivers has filed a lawsuit against California’s DMV, claiming the revocation of their licenses due to immigration status violations threatens their livelihoods.
The lawsuit, filed by the Sikh Coalition and Asian Law Caucus, asserts that the California DMV's plan to revoke commercial driver licenses of over 21,000 truckers infringes on their due process rights. The action follows federal threats to withhold funds over immigrant licensing policies. The plaintiffs are seeking a halt to the license cancellations while they contest the state's decision, arguing it could lead to economic ruin.
