California Delays Revocation of 17,000 Commercial Driver's Licenses for Illegal Alien Truckers, Despite Outcry Over Deadly Accidents

Sacramento, Calif. - January 1, 2026--The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has extended the cancellation deadline for approximately 17,000 non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) held primarily by immigrant truck drivers from January 5, 2026, to March 6, 2026. The delay, announced on December 30, 2025, follows a class-action lawsuit filed by immigrant advocacy groups and aims to provide additional time to verify which drivers remain eligible while addressing federal concerns.

The licenses in question were initially set for revocation after a 2025 federal audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) identified issues in California's licensing process. The audit found that some CDLs had expiration dates extending beyond the holders' authorized period of legal presence or work permits in the United States, violating federal regulations.

DMV Director Steve Gordon stated that the extension allows the state to collaborate with federal officials to resolve outstanding issues. "Commercial drivers are an important part of our economy - our supply chains don't move, and our communities don't stay connected without them," Gordon said in a public statement.

The decision comes a week after the Sikh Coalition and the Asian Law Caucus filed a lawsuit on behalf of affected drivers, many of whom are Punjabi Sikh truckers in California's Central Valley. The suit argues that the revocations would cause significant economic hardship and disrupt supply chains, and that drivers should not be penalized for administrative errors.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy disputed the state's unilateral extension, stating on social media that no federal approval had been granted for the delay. Duffy reiterated that the original January 5 deadline remains in effect and warned that failure to comply could result in the withholding of up to $160 million in federal highway funding for California. He had previously withheld $40 million over separate concerns regarding English proficiency enforcement for commercial drivers.

The controversy stems from broader federal efforts under the Trump administration to tighten CDL issuance for non-citizens, prompted in part by several high-profile crashes involving immigrant drivers. Immigrants hold about 20% of U.S. trucking jobs, with non-domiciled licenses representing roughly 5% of all CDLs nationwide.

California officials maintain that the delay ensures due process for eligible drivers while working toward full compliance with federal standards. Affected drivers will receive notification letters confirming the new March 6 deadline, according to the DMV.

The ongoing state-federal standoff highlights tensions over immigration enforcement, road safety, and economic impacts in the trucking industry.