Fresno Truck Drivers Face License Cancellations

Lawsuit challenges DMV's planned revocation of nearly 20,000 commercial driver's licenses held by immigrant workers

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:47pm

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A December lawsuit filed by the Sikh Coalition and others on behalf of the Jakara Movement and five anonymous immigrant drivers challenges the California DMV's planned cancellation of nearly 20,000 commercial driver's licenses. The lawsuit alleges the DMV has failed to follow proper procedures, placing thousands of drivers at risk of losing their livelihoods. The Fresno-based Jakara Movement estimates as many as 5,000 drivers in Fresno County received cancellation notices, out of around 15,000 drivers throughout the central San Joaquin Valley.

Why it matters

Commercial truck drivers are essential to the functioning of the economy, transporting food, goods, and other critical supplies. The abrupt removal of thousands of these workers from the workforce could have significant ripple effects across supply chains and communities in the Central Valley. The lawsuit seeks to protect the livelihoods and due process rights of these immigrant workers.

The details

The lawsuit was filed in Alameda County Superior Court in December by the Sikh Coalition, the Asian Law Caucus, and the law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP on behalf of the Jakara Movement and five anonymous immigrant commercial drivers. According to the lawsuit, the DMV began sending cancellation notices on Nov. 6 to immigrant commercial drivers whose licenses had expiration dates that did not match their federal work authorization documents. The plaintiffs are asking the court to stop the DMV from canceling licenses improperly, declare the November and December cancellation letters invalid, and ensure drivers can get corrected licenses without losing their ability to work.

  • On Nov. 6, the DMV began sending cancellation notices to immigrant commercial drivers.
  • On Jan. 5, more than 17,000 drivers were told their licenses would be canceled.
  • In mid-February, another 2,700 drivers were notified their licenses would be revoked.

The players

Jakara Movement

A Fresno-based Sikh cultural organization that is a plaintiff in the lawsuit against the California DMV.

Sikh Coalition

A civil rights organization that is representing the Jakara Movement and five anonymous immigrant commercial drivers in the lawsuit against the California DMV.

California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

The state agency that is planning to cancel nearly 20,000 commercial driver's licenses held by immigrant workers.

Naindeep Singh

The executive director of the Jakara Movement and a current Fresno City Council candidate.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

A federal agency that conducted an audit that found more than 17,000 commercial licenses issued to immigrants in California were set to expire after the drivers' legal status ended.

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What they’re saying

“This case is about more than paperwork. It is about dignity, due process and the fundamental right to work. These drivers followed the rules, passed the exams, and maintained valid work authorizations. They built lives, careers and families around the licenses that the state itself issued.”

— Naindeep Singh, Executive Director, Jakara Movement

“Commercial drivers transport our food. They drive our buses. They keep our ports, warehouses, schools and hospitals functioning. When these workers are abruptly removed from the workforce, everybody feels the impact.”

— Naindeep Singh, Executive Director, Jakara Movement

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed as a class action suit and whether to block the DMV from canceling the licenses as planned.

The takeaway

This case highlights the significant impact that the revocation of commercial driver's licenses could have on immigrant communities and the broader economy in the Central Valley. It underscores the importance of due process and the need to ensure that essential workers are treated with dignity and have a clear path to maintain their livelihoods.