In a crucial development for immigrant truckers, California has temporarily halted the planned revocation of 17,000 commercial driver's licenses, offering a lifeline to drivers facing potential career disruption.

The decision comes after intense negotiations and a class-action lawsuit filed by civil rights groups, including the Sikh Coalition and Asian Law Caucus, who argued that immigrant drivers were being unfairly targeted.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy initially threatened to withhold $160 million in federal funding, citing concerns about immigration status verification and English language proficiency among commercial drivers. An audit revealed significant inconsistencies, including licenses remaining valid past immigrants' work permit expirations.

The dispute gained national attention following tragic traffic incidents, including a fatal crash in Florida involving a truck driver without proper authorization. This incident prompted heightened scrutiny of commercial driver licensing procedures across multiple states.

California DMV Director Steve Gordon emphasized the critical role of commercial drivers, stating, "Commercial drivers are an important part of our economy — our supply chains don't move, and our communities don't stay connected without them." The state has committed to reviewing and reforming its licensing processes to meet federal requirements.

The delay provides immigrant drivers temporary relief, with the Sikh Coalition's legal director Mumeeth Kaur describing it as "an important step towards alleviating the immediate threat that these drivers are facing to their lives and livelihoods." Immigrants currently represent approximately 20% of truck drivers nationwide, with non-domiciled licenses accounting for about 5% of all commercial driver's licenses.

Trucking industry groups have supported efforts to ensure driver qualification and safety, while also praising the Transportation Department's increased oversight of commercial driver's license schools and verification processes.

As negotiations continue, California remains committed to balancing immigration compliance with maintaining a robust and diverse transportation workforce.