Fresno, CA, Dec 10, 2025(Yes Punjab News)
On Saturday, December 6, UNITED SIKHS’ International Civil & Human Rights Advocacy (ICHRA) team convened a powerful Trucker Rights Informational Workshop in Fresno, California, drawing Sikh, Punjabi, and immigrant truck drivers from across the state, many of whom drove for hours to stand with the organization and seek support.
The event provided urgent guidance and one-on-one advocacy support to drivers facing California, Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) cancellations. The gathering was a direct response to the growing fear and uncertainty among California’s trucking workforce, many of whom are lawful permanent residents or visa holders impacted by recent enforcement actions.
“When drivers travel for hours just to be in the room with us, it tells you everything you need to know about the urgency and the trust.” said Bhupinder Kaur, Director of Operations at UNITED SIKHS. “This was more than a workshop. It was a space of dignity, solidarity, and collective resolve.”
The workshop featured legal experts and advocates including Wanda Sánchez Day, Esq.,Chief Legal Officer, UNITED SIKHS; Richard Keenan Pro-Bono Immigration Attorney, Yale Law; Tejinder Singh Bains, UNITED SIKHS Legal Advisory; and Jay Terkiana, Founder of the California law firm, Terkiana PC.
California Assembly Member, Dr. Jasmeet Bains joined the gathering in person, lending her voice and presence in solidarity with community members and truck drivers who had received notices of cancellation of their CDLs. Her participation underscored the need for legislative attention and action on this issue and reinforced the message that immigrant workers and their families, many of whom are American citizens, deserve protection, clarity about their rights, and respect.
Participants received personalized information tailored to their individual cases, advocacy with DMV for restoration of their CDL and resources for next steps. The community-based advocacy and direct contact to resources created a pathway for continued assistance. The tone throughout was one of empowerment, clarity, and collective care.
UNITED SIKHS Chief Legal Officer, Wanda Sanchez Day, emphasized that “When the actions of the government disrupt the lives of our workers, instead of supporting them we have an obligation to act. In this case, truckers are being targeted based on immigrant status and this is not justice. The licenses, which many have held for decades and are their primary means of support for themselves and their families, are being confiscated suddenly, without an opportunity to be heard and they have done nothing wrong. We, as people who believe that government must be rooted in justice and good conscience, cannot simply stand by and as a California based charitable organization founded on the Sikh principles of defending human rights, protecting the vulnerable, and standing against injustice, UNITED SIKHS is compelled to act.”
Special thanks were extended to the Jakara Movement team, who joined with local resources and solidarity.
The UNITED SIKHS ICHRA team continues to monitor developments and provide direct advocacy to affected drivers across the nation. For assistance or to get involved, contact UNITED SIKHS at 1-855-US-UMEED or contact@unitedsikhs.org .
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