California is slamming the brakes on 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) issued to immigrants, bowing to intense pressure from the Trump administration.
This unfolding drama pits state policies against federal mandates, with the Transportation Department stepping in to revoke licenses while tragic crashes involving immigrant drivers fuel the controversy, as Fox News reports.
The Golden State’s decision comes after the Transportation Department declared that these licenses fail to meet federal standards, notifying affected drivers they have just 60 days before expiration.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office has fired back, arguing that the federal rules now cited weren’t even in place when these licenses were issued. It’s a classic case of moving the goalposts, and California isn’t buying the retroactive rulemaking.
Newsom’s team insists the licenses align with state law and were issued to individuals legally present in the U.S. with federal work authorization. They reject any notion that these drivers were operating outside the bounds of legality.
Further stoking the fire, Newsom’s office claims the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is misapplying standards, even criticizing California for adhering to guidance once approved by the Department of Homeland Security.
Amid this bureaucratic tug-of-war, two devastating crashes have thrust safety concerns into the spotlight. Harjinder Singh, 28, was arrested after an unauthorized U-turn in Fort Pierce, Florida, led to a crash that claimed three lives. Homeland Security called it a brutal wreck, and Singh now faces vehicular homicide charges.
Investigators revealed Singh failed both English proficiency and road sign tests, raising serious questions about how such drivers are vetted. Just one day before Singh’s court hearing to address interpreter issues, California announced the mass license revocation.
In a separate incident, Jashanpreet Singh, an unauthorized migrant from India, was charged with vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence after a fiery crash on California’s I-10 Freeway in San Bernardino County. Three lives were lost in that tragedy, with police noting the driver never braked before impact, and toxicology tests confirmed impairment.
Adding fuel to the fire, federal sources reported Jashanpreet Singh was first encountered by Border Patrol in 2022 and released pending an immigration hearing. During an FMCSA interview with a driver—presumably tied to one of these cases—the individual flunked an English Language Proficiency assessment, answering only 2 of 12 verbal questions correctly.
The Department of Transportation didn’t hold back, stating, “The driver failed the assessment, providing correct responses to just 2 of 12 verbal questions and only accurately identifying 1 of 4 highway traffic signs.” If road signs are a mystery, how can public safety be assured?
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has come out swinging, declaring, “After weeks of claiming they did nothing wrong, Gavin Newsom and California have been caught red-handed.” He added, “Now that we’ve exposed their lies, 17,000 illegally issued trucking licenses are being revoked.” It’s a bold claim, though California disputes the “illegal” label with equal fervor.
Duffy doubled down, asserting, “My emergency rule came as a consequence in part for California’s total disregard of those federal laws — it was THAT BAD.” His words paint a picture of a state run amok, but one wonders if this is federal overreach dressed as concern.
These licenses were originally set to expire only after a driver’s legal stay in the country ended, a policy now deemed insufficient by federal authorities. California’s push for inclusive policies clashes hard with a federal system demanding uniformity—guess who’s winning this round?
At the heart of this mess are real human lives—both the drivers facing upheaval and the victims of these horrific crashes. While policy debates rage, the need for rigorous standards and clear communication on our highways couldn’t be more urgent. Let’s hope this standoff leads to solutions, not just soundbites.
