California Delays Cancellation of 17,000 Illegal Migrant Truck Licenses, Igniting Federal Safety Crisis

By Charlie McCarthy | Friday, January 2, 2026

The Democrat-led state of California has postponed the cancellation of approximately 17,000 commercial truck driver licenses issued to illegal migrants for an additional 60 days, pushing the deadline from January 5 into March.

California’s Department of Motor Vehicles announced the delay as federal officials warn states failing to comply with federal safety regulations risk losing millions in funding. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has stated that audits reveal “significant failures” in California and other blue states regarding English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers—a critical rule ensuring drivers can read and obey traffic signs.

“Commercial drivers are an important part of our economy — our supply chains don’t move, and our communities don’t stay connected without them,” said California DMV Director Steve Gordon. He argued the state hopes federal officials will accept its updated processes to resume issuing licenses.

Critics contend that California has issued commercial licenses to individuals without lawful status and is now stalling cleanup efforts as federal pressure intensifies. A class-action lawsuit filed by immigrant advocacy groups claims lawful drivers are being unfairly swept up in revocations due to mishandled expiration dates tied to work authorization and legal presence documents.

Supporters of stricter enforcement point to high-profile tragedies, including an August crash in Florida where illegal migrant Harjinder Singh drove an 18-wheeler into a fatal collision after attempting an illegal U-turn on a road prohibited by signs. Similar incidents have been reported nationwide.

Trucking trade groups have welcomed federal efforts to remove unqualified drivers and enhance oversight of questionable CDL schools, emphasizing the need for consistent safety standards across states.

The dispute highlights whether sanctuary policies will undermine public safety or lead to uniform enforcement of federal regulations on commercial driver qualifications.