California's Truck License Crackdown Devastates Sikh Community, Sparks Legal Battle
When California authorities abruptly cancelled thousands of commercial trucking licenses several months ago, Sikh business owner Bikramjeet Singh Gill witnessed his once-bustling Stockton truck yard transform into a ghost town. Trucks that previously embarked on daily routes now stand motionless, generating no revenue while accumulating mounting expenses.
Financial Ruin and Operational Paralysis
Gill, who operates Gillson Trucking Inc., revealed that approximately 35 of his immigrant drivers received notifications last year from the California Department of Motor Vehicles announcing the cancellation of their commercial driver's licenses. The licenses disappeared overnight, creating immediate operational chaos.
"We have suffered nearly $2 million in losses during the past four months while continuing to pay $200,000 monthly to banks and insurers for 35 parked trucks," Gill explained to CalMatters. "The financial institutions show no patience - they demand their payments regardless of our circumstances."
Federal Audit Triggers Widespread License Revocations
The mass cancellations followed a September audit conducted by the Trump administration, which identified over 17,000 California commercial licenses held by immigrants that required scrutiny. The audit discovered that numerous licenses contained expiration dates extending beyond drivers' legal authorization to reside and work in the United States. California subsequently notified affected drivers about impending license revocations.
New federal regulations implemented last year could eventually strip licenses from up to 61,000 immigrant truck drivers nationwide. California's Sikh community has borne the brunt of this policy shift, with industry estimates suggesting approximately 35 percent of the state's commercial drivers identify as Sikh, with significant concentrations in the Central Valley region.
Legal Challenges and Community Impact
The Sikh Coalition has initiated a lawsuit contesting California's decision to cancel non-domicile commercial licenses. The organization argues this action disproportionately targets immigrant drivers who depend on commercial driving for their livelihoods.
"When someone loses their Commercial Driver's License, they essentially lose their means of earning a living," emphasized Munmeeth Kaur, the Sikh Coalition's legal director. "Truck driving has historically provided stable income for Sikh immigrants who frequently took loans and carried debt to establish themselves in America."
Federal Pressure and Industry Response
The Trump administration has vigorously defended the license crackdown, even threatening to withhold transportation funding from California over perceived delays in canceling licenses. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated earlier this month: "This represents a significant moment for Governor Gavin Newsom and California. Our requirements were straightforward: comply with regulations, revoke unlawfully-issued licenses from potentially hazardous foreign drivers, and repair the system to prevent recurrence."
By October, Gill reported nearly 100 trucks sitting idle at his depot. "The situation completely devastated our operations," he confessed. "Gradually, some drivers have returned to work due to mortgage payments and financial responsibilities. We've begun hiring drivers with green cards or U.S. citizenship."
Compliance Concerns and Growing Fears
Gill emphasized that companies followed state regulations during hiring processes. "According to existing laws, if someone possesses valid work authorization and licenses, we can employ them. We cannot discriminate against any individual," he asserted.
Anxiety has permeated the driver community following Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests of truckers at inspection sites. "One of our drivers was recently detained by ICE while stationed at a Minnesota truck stop," Gill disclosed. The driver remains in custody.
Drivers are increasingly removing Sikh religious imagery from their trucks amid harassment concerns. "Every driver traditionally displays pictures or symbols representing their inspiration," Gill noted. "Now they're removing these items. Drivers report people recording videos of their trucks and posting them on social media, or aggressively honking at them."
