California plans to revoke approximately 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses that were issued to immigrants, a move that follows increased scrutiny from federal authorities regarding immigration and driving qualifications. Under Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration, the state asserts that the revocations are due to unspecified violations of state law. However, the timing coincides with the Trump administration's criticism of immigrant licensing, raising eyebrows about the motives behind the decision.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has targeted California specifically, accusing it of improper issuance of commercial driver’s licenses to noncitizens. Newsom countered, stating that each affected driver held valid work authorizations at the time of issuance. The controversy has been fueled by recent fatal accidents involving illegal immigrant truck drivers, which have heightened scrutiny of commercial licensing protocols.
Duffy claimed that the revocation is in part an admission of wrongdoing by California, hinting at a broader intention to enforce stricter immigration measures in commercial driving contexts. New federal rules could potentially gut the pool of eligible applicants for commercial licenses, limiting them predominantly to those with specific types of visas. This has significant implications for thousands of immigrant drivers currently holding commercial licenses.
Opposition voices, including Newsom's spokespeople, argue that Duffy's actions represent political maneuvering rather than public safety concerns. They insist California had followed federal guidelines in issuing the licenses. As the situation develops, the future of immigrant drivers in California’s commercial sector remains uncertain.
