California CDL crackdown leaves immigrant truckers in limbo as deadlines shift

"FRESNO In the corner of Sammy Gill's sprawling Fresno truck yard, among other gargantuan rigs with 20-plus-inch rims, a bright red 2022 Mack Anthem sits idle. The truck hasn't moved since mid-November not because it's broken down, but because its owner, an immigrant driver, had his commercial driver's license canceled under a state crackdown whose timing and reach remains unsettled. Beautiful truck, said Gill, who co-owns Gill Freightways Solutions Inc., a trucking company that hauls refrigerated trailers, or reefers. But (he) can't drive it."

"The driver is one of thousands of immigrant truckers caught in a widening enforcement push targeting non-domiciled commercial licenses held by drivers who are not U.S. citizens but have valid work authorization an enforcement action California announced under pressure from the U.S. Department of Transportation, then partially paused after a legal challenge this week, even as federal officials insist enforcement should already be underway."

"Fresno anchors a supply chain that feeds, stocks and supplies Silicon Valley and beyond, hauling fresh produce, medicine and retail goods bound for Bay Area warehouses, grocery stores and businesses. The Port of Oakland, which has ranked first among U.S. ports for refrigerated exports for seven consecutive years, depends heavily on that Central Valley trucking network. As drivers lose licenses or brace for revocations that could still arrive executives warn of worsening driver shortages, rising shipping costs and delays that could hit Bay Area consumers."

A California enforcement push has targeted non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses held by noncitizen drivers who have valid work authorization, prompting cancellations and uncertainty. Thousands of immigrant truckers face license loss or possible revocation, leaving rigs idle in Fresno and other Central Valley hubs. The Central Valley trucking network moves fresh produce, medicine, retail goods and refrigerated exports vital to Bay Area warehouses and the Port of Oakland. Trucking companies warn of worsening driver shortages, higher shipping costs and supply delays that could affect Bay Area consumers. Legal challenges have briefly paused the action while federal officials press for enforcement.

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