UNITED SIKHS Reaffirms Commitment Amidst Court Setback in Fight for Drivers’ Rights

New York, NY | May 12, 2026

UNITED SIKHS reaffirmed its commitment to defending immigrant drivers after the D.C. Circuit court declined to stay  the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Final Rule (FR). As a signatory to an Amicus Brief in

Jorge Rivera Lujan v. Fed. Motor Carrier Safety Admin., Nos. 25-1215 & 25-1224 (D.C. Cir.2025), UNITED SIKHS emphasized the urgent need for policy reforms to prevent discriminatory CDL cancellations. The May 5, decision in the Lujan case leaves thousands of lawfully present commercial drivers uncertain of their livelihoods and means of financial support due to loss of their Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs), a setback that UNITED SIKHS advocates against through legal advocacy and collaborative community action. 

A Growing National Crisis

The D.C. Circuit’s refusal to pause the FMCSA rule comes at a time when thousands of immigrant drivers across the country are facing unprecedented challenges. In California, mass CDL cancellations have already disrupted lives and destabilized entire families without ever affording due process or the opportunity to be heard.  States like Indiana followed suit, with legislation that cancelled more than 1,790 licenses without due process since April 1, 2026, further underscoring the urgent need for Congressional and legal intervention.

UNITED SIKHS has been at the forefront of this fight, working alongside independent private law firms, civil rights organizations, and academic institutions to challenge these practices. The organization’s involvement reflects its broader commitment to coalition-building and ensuring that drivers and their families are not left to face these life altering and unfair challenges alone.

UNITED SIKHS’ Role in the Fight

Across multiple states, UNITED SIKHS has mobilized legal expertise and community advocacy to defend drivers. In Indiana, the organization collaborated with Riley & Cate law partners to provide guidance to affected drivers. In Texas, UNITED SIKHS partnered with the Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP) and FIEL Houston to host workshops and co‑sign advocacy letters, ensuring immigrant drivers had access to resources and information.

In California, the organization works with the law firm of Katsuranis and Rodriguez, Inc. to provide direct legal representation on CDL issues that need clarity on a statewide basis.  One such issue is whether the California DMV may interpret state and federal CDL regulations so as to preclude issuance of a CDL to Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR).

The setback in the D.C. Circuit only deepens the urgency of UNITED SIKHS’ mission. With oral arguments scheduled in Lujan for September 2026, the organization is acting to ensure that immigrant drivers’ voices are heard at the highest levels of justice. In the months ahead, UNITED SIKHS will intensify its legal advocacy, supporting ongoing cases in California, Indiana, and Texas, Florida and New York, while expanding community workshops and “Know Your Rights” campaigns to equip drivers with practical tools to navigate the crisis.

At the same time, UNITED SIKHS will continue to strengthen collaboration with labor unions, civil rights groups, and faith-based organizations, amplifying the call for justice across state lines. The fight will not be confined to the courtroom; it will extend to legislative halls, where UNITED SIKHS will press for fair legislation that protects all workers.

This moment demands resilience and unity. UNITED SIKHS remains steadfast in its mission: to defend the rights of drivers, to challenge discriminatory practices, and to ensure that every worker can contribute to America’s economy with dignity and security. 

About UNITED SIKHS

UNITED SIKHS is an international, non-profit humanitarian organization affiliated with the U.N., committed to empowering disadvantaged and minority communities across the globe through its International Civil and Human Rights Advocacy Directorate (ICHRA). Its mission is to provide support and resources to those in need, advocating for equality, justice, and civil and human rights. Through various projects and advocacy efforts, UNITED SIKHS, ICHRA works to uplift vulnerable communities, aiming to make a lasting positive impact on the world.

For media inquiries or to support UNITED SIKHS’ ICHRA legal advocacy efforts, please contact:
Gurleen Kaur
Director of Media and Public Relations
📧 gurleen.kaur@unitedsikhs.org  | media@unitedsikhs.org  🌐 www.unitedsikhs.org
To contribute to our legal advocacy and humanitarian work, please visit: 🌐 www.unitedsikhs.org/donate