California to Revoke 17,000 Commercial Driver’s Licenses Amid Federal Concerns Over Immigration Status

California to Revoke 17,000 Commercial Driver’s Licenses Amid Controversy

Sacramento, CA — In a significant move that has sparked heated debate, California officials announced plans to revoke approximately 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses issued to immigrants. This decision comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny from the Trump administration, which raised alarms about the potential for individuals in the country illegally to hold licenses for operating large vehicles like semitrucks and buses.

Governor Gavin Newsom has insisted that the revocations are due to violations of state law, although he has not provided specific details regarding these infractions. “We are committed to ensuring that our licensing standards are upheld,” Newsom stated, emphasizing that the state is acting in compliance with federal regulations.

The controversy intensified following a nationwide audit of commercial driver’s licenses, initiated after a tragic incident in Florida where a driver in the country illegally caused a crash that resulted in three fatalities. Similar incidents in Texas and Alabama have further fueled concerns about the safety implications of these licenses.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who has been vocal about the issue, claimed that California’s decision to revoke these licenses is an acknowledgment of previous missteps. “After weeks of claiming they did nothing wrong, Gavin Newsom and California have been caught red-handed,” Duffy asserted. He has threatened to withhold an additional $160 million in federal funding unless the state takes decisive action to address the licensing concerns.

California’s transportation officials have yet to respond to inquiries about the specific reasons behind the revocations. However, Duffy’s office has indicated that the state failed to enforce English language requirements for truck drivers, leading to the loss of federal funding.

In a statement, Newsom’s office defended the integrity of the licenses, asserting that all affected drivers possessed valid work authorizations from the federal government. “Sean Duffy is spreading easily disproven falsehoods in a desperate attempt to please his dear leader,” said Brandon Richards, a spokesperson for Newsom.

Under new federal regulations announced in September, the criteria for obtaining a commercial driver’s license have become significantly stricter for immigrants. Only a limited number of visa holders will qualify, and states must now verify applicants’ immigration status through a federal database. This change means that only about 10,000 of the 200,000 noncitizens currently holding commercial licenses would meet the new requirements.

While the new rules will not be enforced retroactively, the 17,000 licenses in question are set to expire within 60 days, leaving many drivers in uncertainty. Duffy has indicated that a quarter of the licenses reviewed in California should not have been issued, citing instances where licenses remained valid long after the drivers’ work permits had expired.

As the situation unfolds, the implications for both drivers and the broader transportation industry remain to be seen. With safety concerns at the forefront, California’s decision to revoke these licenses may set a precedent for how states handle commercial driver’s licensing in the future.

Associated Press contributed to this report.