California’s Governor Gavin Newsom is standing up to the Trump administration’s Transportation Department. Recently, Sean Duffy has supported 17,000 immigrant truck drivers, giving them the chance to drive on U.S. roads.
The state’s DMV has decided to allow those immigrants who previously lost their licenses due to Duffy’s enforcement of regulations to drive again for an additional 60 days. They can also retake the driving test to renew their licenses.
Last week, the California Department of Motor Vehicles declared that it would delay the license revocations for around 17,000 immigrant CDL holders, creating a fresh conflict with federal authorities aiming to remove potentially dangerous undocumented drivers who struggle with English.
“Commercial drivers are essential to our economy. Without them, our supply chains can’t operate properly, and our communities would face disconnection,” DMV Director Steve Gordon stated, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
However, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized California’s stance, warning that the federal government might withdraw $160 million in funding if the state does not retract its permits by January 5.
“California has no ‘extension’ to keep breaking the law and jeopardizing safety on the roads,” Duffy expressed in a message on X.
Meanwhile, undocumented immigrants with CDLs have initiated a lawsuit against the federal government in California to prevent the Trump administration from revoking their licenses.
Duffy pointed out that under Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, California has already taken over 7,000 immigrants off the road but has issued licenses to 17,000 others.
California remains the largest center for undocumented individuals acquiring commercial driver’s licenses.
In a separate report from last month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended 101 undocumented truck drivers during Operation Highway Sentinel in California. Those detained hailed from several countries, including India, Mexico, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Nicaragua, Russia, Georgia, Venezuela, El Salvador, and Honduras.
