California plans to revoke approximately 17,000 commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) issued to immigrants, state officials announced. This decision follows the identification of licenses with expiration dates extending beyond the period the holders were legally authorized to be in the U.S.
This action occurs amidst federal criticism of California and other states regarding the issuance of licenses to individuals who are not fully authorized to reside in the country. The issue gained public attention after a fatal crash in Florida in August involving a tractor-trailer driver reportedly unauthorized to be in the U.S.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that California's move to revoke these licenses acknowledges prior improper issuance, despite the state's earlier defense of its licensing standards. Secretary Duffy had previously raised concerns, which prompted California to initiate a review of its commercial driver's licenses.
Governor Gavin Newsom's office clarified that all affected drivers held valid work authorizations from the federal government. The state indicated that the revocations are based on a state law that mandates licenses expire on or before the individual's reported legal status in the U.S. concludes.
Earlier fatal truck crashes in Texas and Alabama this year, alongside a fiery crash in California last month involving an unauthorized driver, have also contributed to discussions about these licenses.
Secretary Duffy previously imposed new federal restrictions on the eligibility of immigrants for commercial driver's licenses. He identified California and five other states as having improperly issued CDLs to noncitizens. California was the first state to complete its audit following federal concerns.
Duffy had previously withheld $40 million in federal funding from California, citing the state's non-enforcement of English language requirements for truckers. He indicated a potential withholding of an additional $160 million if the state does not invalidate all improperly issued licenses and address related concerns. The current revocations are part of California's efforts to comply with these demands.
New federal rules for commercial driver's licenses, announced by Secretary Duffy in September, significantly limit eligibility for immigrants. Under these regulations, only holders of H-2a (temporary agricultural workers), H-2b (temporary non-agricultural workers), or E-2 (investor) visas qualify. States are now required to verify an applicant's immigration status using a federal database, and licenses are valid for a maximum of one year or until the applicant's visa expires.
These new requirements are not retroactive. Approximately 10,000 of the 200,000 noncitizens holding commercial licenses nationally would qualify under the new rules. The remaining 190,000 drivers are permitted to retain their licenses until they are due for renewal.
The 17,000 California licenses slated for revocation were issued prior to the implementation of these new federal rules. The affected drivers have received notices that their licenses will expire in 60 days.
Federal investigators, as reported by Duffy in September, found that approximately one-quarter of 145 reviewed licenses in California should not have been issued, citing instances where licenses remained valid years after work permits expired.
Governor Newsom's office stated that California adhered to guidance received from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security when issuing these licenses to noncitizens.